Correspondence
of the Oregon Superintendency1853Southern
Oregon-related correspondence with the Oregon Superintendency for
Indian Affairs.

House of Reps.
Washington D.C.
January
28th 1853.

Hon. Commr. of Indian Affrs.
Sir;
You will
please inform me
whether, in your opinion, you are authorized by any law now in force to
settle with Gov. John P. Gaines and Courtney M. Walker Esq. of Oregon
and pay them what in such settlement might be found to be due them for
expenses incurred by them in the settlement of the Rogue River Indian
difficulties of 1851? And, if not, will you be good enough to address a
note to the chairman of the House Com. on Indian Affairs (Hon. R.
W. Johnson) recommending the passage of an act authorizing
such settlement?
It seems to be the opinion of the
committee I have
named that your department already have the power of adjusting these
claims, and in order to settle that question I have thus to solicit
your opinion in the matter.
Your early attention and answer is
respectfully requested.

I am very
respectfully
Your obt. servt.
Joseph
Lane

P.S. Will you please have the kindness to furnish to me a copy of your
note to Hon. R. W. Johnson, Chm. &c.?NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 88-90.

Oregon Indian
Superintendency
January 31st 1853

To / Hon. Luke Lea
Commissioner
of Indian
Affrs.
Sir:--
Yours of
the 17th December 1852, enclosing the copy of a letter from Mr. E.
Wampole and also copy of one from a man by the name of Bulford, is this
day received.
I have only to say at this time that
these slanderous charges are extremely annoying, being entirely
destitute of truth, emanating as they undoubtedly do from the same
source as those made against me last winter while in Washington--using,
however, another agent, turned out of office as a cat's paw.
I will by the next mail endeavor to
forward such evidence as will fully satisfy you of my entire innocence
of the charges referred against me.

Very respectfully
your obedient
Servant
Anson Dart
Superintendent

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 18-19. See the Bulford letter on the 1852 page, under date of October 15, 1852.

Oregon
City O.T. 1st Feb. 1853.

Sir
I acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of
the 17th December last, requesting me to give you all the information
in my possession touching the illegal issuing by Dr. Dart of the public
money in his hands for the purpose of private gain and touching also
his character for licentiousness and immorality.
In reply I have to say that of my own
knowledge I
know nothing affecting Dr. Dart in respect to either of the charges
made against him.
I have heard through Mr. Holbrook (the
Dist.
Attorney) of some transaction of the Dr. not creditable to him as an
officer or as a man. How much reliance is to be placed upon these
hearsay statements I do not undertake to say. There is, no doubt, ill
blood between those gentlemen. Whilst I do not undertake to say that
Dr. Dart is innocent of the charges laid to him, I will also add that I
have no such knowledge or information on the subject as in my opinion
would warrant me in giving currency to them.

Respectfully
yours
Thomas Nelson

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 94-95.

Oregon City 1 Feb.
1853

Sir
I yesterday received a letter from you
asking information regarding Dr. Dart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
I cannot say whether Dr. Dart used the
public money in his hands for the purpose of private gain or not, as it
would be hard for me to tell public money from his private funds. He
received a large amount of goods per ship M. Howe from New York and
sold them to merchants here, but they may have been purchased with his
own funds. With regard to his character, from all I can learn he now
has living at his house a woman in the capacity I understand of
housekeeper. At San Francisco my partner then Mr. Clark informed me he
introduced her as his niece and requested the proprietor of the hotel
(the Oriental) to let them have adjoining rooms that connected--that a
person in the next room informed the proprietor that they occupied the
same room, and had he believed. Dr. Dart introduced this woman to Mr.
Clark and other ladies and I know Mr. Clark felt it very much when he
afterwards learned her character. The general impression here is the
Doctor is guilty, yet of my own personal knowledge I can say nothing. I
never saw the woman.
I have rather unwillingly answered your
letter, as it is one of those questions in which the least said the
better.

To
Hon. Luke Lea
Commissioner of Ind. Affrs.
Sir:
Since writing you on the 31st ult.,
replying to yours of the 17th December last on the subject of certain
charges preferred against me, I have learned beyond a doubt that a
gross imposition has been practiced upon you in connection with the
said charges.
The letter signed "Josiah Bulford" is a spurious invention, and
since it is from this letter that you base your inquiries of Judge
Nelson, Wm. B. Preston and others, I have taken pains to obtain
evidence to accompany this letter to show the truth of my statement.
Besides the certificates of the postmasters at Portland and at Oregon
City, I have made inquiries of a number of the old settlers here, who,
without exception, inform me that no such person is known to them, nor
have they ever heard of such a name in Oregon! In my own mind there
remains no doubt as to who perpetrated the act, and in conclusion upon
the subject of the letter I have only to say that the statements
contained therein are base,
cowardly and false.
I come next to notice the invictive and
foolish letter of Mr. E. Wampole: I would not, however, have replied to
it, except that you gave it some consideration.
Mr. Wampole says that when he was in
charge of my office he sold stoves. How came he to have charge of my
office while I was in the upper country and had never seen the man? The
office, during my absence, was left in charge of sub-agent J. L.
Parrish, and I deny that Mr. Wampole ever sold stoves or other property
of mine at that or at any other time.
Quoting from Mr. Wampole's letter, "I
was informed he had goods in almost every store in Oregon City." To
this I reply that I had not a dollar's worth of goods in any store in
Oregon Territory, if
I except a few goods, remnants of family supplies bought for my own use
and left with Messrs. Allan McKinlay & Co., as I was about to
start for Washington in the fall of 1851, and amounting in all to about
three hundred
dollars.
Again, Mr. W. says, "He must have taken
government money &c." This is a kind of sweeping charge and
comes from a man too irresponsible to entitle it to any notice except
to say it is false.
Next comes the charge of buying blankets
from Messrs. Allan McKinlay & Co. and furnishing the same to
the commissioners treating with the Indians. To answer this I will
refer you to the letter from Messrs. A. McK. & Co. marked "A"
herewith.
I will here refer to the letter from Mr.
W. DuBois--my former secretary--and marked "B" to disprove a statement
in Mr. Wampole's letter where he refers to this gentleman's name.
"When he sent me to my charge he did not
furnish me one cent of money &c." Please see voucher No. 32,
second quarter 1851, also voucher No. 25 third quarter 1852. Mr.
Wampole went to the Dalles of the Columbia in company with a Mr. Craig,
an Indian trader residing there, and Mr. C. proposed in my presence to
furnish Wampole with as many pack and riding horses as he might
require, and that he would send his bills to this office for payment.
"Dart seized this in my absence and
acted upon it." The facts seem to be a little different.
Wampole, Jackson and the person to whom
Wampole had sold a license (taking twelve head of cattle as security)
came together to
my office, and it was in Mr. Wampole's presence that the
charges were made against him; he made no denial but pled ignorance of
the law and his duty.
"His not informing me of the usage of
this Department in regards to vouchers &c." On this subject
please see copies of letters sent him from this office marked "C" and
"D" herewith.
"When on my return home I had arrived in
the valley below, I found one general burst of indignation against the
Doct." Please see the notice of my resignation, published in the Oregon
newspapers forwarded herewith.
"Common rumor" not having a responsible
name attached will not be noticed except by reference to the letter
from the Secretary of the Territory, marked "E" accompanying this. In
conclusion about Mr. Wampole's letter, I have to say that his statement
about having been detained here--my informing him that I had nothing to
do with his incidental account--that he would have to go to Washington
&c. is sheer fabrication, entirely false.

I
have the honor to remain
Your obedient servant
Anson Dart
Superintendent

A

Oregon
City, Oregon Territory
4th February 1853

Dear
Sir
Having been shown a letter written by
Mr. Elias Wampole to the Hon. Luke Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, dated the 27th October 1852, in which it is stated that you
had left with us or sold to us large quantities of blankets, and that
during the treaty negotiations at Champoeg blankets were bought back
from us at high prices for the use of the Indian commissioners, we have
to state that at no time did we ever buy blankets from you, nor did you
ever leave any with us for sale. In your absence Mr. Agent Skinner
purchased from us one bale containing twenty-five pairs, which were
sold to him at our usual wholesale price.
In regard to the other statements made
by Mr. Wampole, we have no knowledge that they are correct.
You are at perfect liberty to make
whatever use you see proper of this communication.

Dear
Sir
I have just read a letter written by
Elias Wampole
to Hon. Luke Lea, Commr. of Indian Affairs, dated October 27th 1852.
That part of the letter which says you
"also told
Mr. N. DuBois, your clerk, in charge of your office in your absence
that you were prejudiced against him" (Wampole) I would state is false
and entirely without foundation.
Having been intimately acquainted with
you for many
years, and having been engaged for some eight or nine months in your
office as secretary, I would freely and cheerfully state that I have
never seen or known anything to justify or give rise to any of the
charges made in Mr. E. Wampole's letter.

Dr.
Anson Dart Superintendent Indian Affairs
Dear Sir
I have
looked at the letters sent
you by the Hon. Luke Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and am
surprised that he should deem them of such significance as to notice
them at all--one being from a discarded sub-agent, displaced for
improper conduct, the other from nobody here knows who, and both marked
by such features as are not usually found in communications from
reliable or honorable men. With respect to that portion implicating
your official conduct, I have no doubt the files of the Department show
its falsity; as to the rest it is surely made of stuff too low for
grave inquiry.
Should the replies of the gentlemen to
whom Mr. Lea
has referred raise a doubt in his mind as to the correctness of your
official conduct, he will then present the charges against you in a
proper form, and you will have the advantage of a responsible accuser.
I have been aware of the existence of a
bitter
personal hostility to you with two persons here, arising out of
difference of opinion as to your management of your department with one
and with another from causes I could never ascertain, but I should
think from these letters that nothing but a malignant hatred to all
mankind in general, and to you in particular, could have given birth to
such abominable stuff as facts the letters contain.
Wishing you a speedy deliverance from
such annoyancesI
remain very respectfully
Your obt. servt.
E. Hamilton

Oregon
City 5 Feb. / 53

Sir
I do not know a man in Oregon City by
the name of Josiah Bulford.
I have resided here since 1845.

Wm.
W. Burk
Postmaster
Oregon City

Anson
Dart Esqr.
Superintendent
Indian
Affairs

Post
Office Portland
Washington County
O.T.
Feb. 7th
1853

I hereby
certify that I have no knowledge of any man in this place by the name
of Josiah Bulford. I have lived in this place since December
1849.

E.
B. Comfort
Postmaster

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 20-40. The "Bulford" letter
can be found here,
under date of October 15.

Oregon
City
20 February 1853

Hon.
L. Lea
Commissioner
Washington
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your
letter of the 17th Dec. last making inquiries about Doct. Dart, Supt.
of Indian Affairs in Oregon.
In answer to your inquiry about Doct.
Dart illegally
using the public money I have to say that I have no knowledge of his
using any public money in an improper manner.
To your other inquiry "and that his
character is
that of a licentious and immoral man," I have to answer that I know
nothing of my own knowledge, but that general rumor and talk would
indicate that he had acted very indiscreetly if not improper and not as
a moral man, a good citizen, would. Of the truth of these rumors
&
talk I do not decide. I have tried to keep out of the quarrel and not
get mixed in it in any way. This is a prolific country for gossip.

I
am very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Jno. B. Preston

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 97-98.

Copy

Milwaukie 1st March
1853

Lot Whitcomb Esq.

Bought of Anson Dart
Supt. Ind. Affairs for Oregon

50

yards
Brussels carpet

46¼

3
ply

$125.00

3

mats

1

doz. spring seat mahogany chairs

96.00

1

doz. cane seat maple chairs

60.00

125

best curled hair mattresses

100.00

1

black walnut bedstead

40.00

2

black walnut bedsteads 18 & 22

40.00

1

looking glass

74.00

1

spring seat mahogany sofa

50.00

1

marble top pier table

50.00

2

mahogany tables 12 & 18

30.00

crockery &
hardware (see bill)

134.36

10

pair best mackinaw blankets 8

80.00

1

feather bed & 6 pillows

40.00

1

mahogany wash stands

15.00

1

black walnut spring seat rocker

35.00

1

parlor stove & pipe

30.00

table and bed linen (see bill)

71.25

100

lbs. sugar

10.00

$1135.61

Recd. payment by draft of W. P. Doland on Charles Hopkins of San
Francisco payable 26th July next.

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 670-676.

Dayton
Yamhill County May 4th
1853

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your
favor of the 18th March enclosing my commission as Superintendent of
Indian Affairs for the tribes residing within the Territory of Oregon,
and also the form of a bond.
The latter has been executed according
to your instructions and is herewith transmitted.
I shall immediately proceed to the
Superintendency near Milwaukie and enter upon the duties assigned me.

I
have the honor to be very
Respectfully your obedient servant
Joel Palmer
Superintendent Indian Affairs
Oregon Territory

To the Honorable Commissioner
of Indian Affairs Wn. CityNARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 99-100.

Department of the
Interior,
Office Indian Affairs,
May 5,
1853.

Sir:
Samuel H. Culver, Esq. of Port Orford, and Robert R. Thompson, Esq. of
Oregon City, having been appointed by the President Agent for the
Indians in Oregon, in the places of A. A. Skinner and E. A. Starling,
respectively, I have directed them to report to you for instructions in
the discharge of their official duties.
Before taking the oath
of office and filing their bonds, duly executed in the penal sum, each,
of $5000, certified by a United States judge or district attorney, you
will direct their respective predecessors to turn over to them all
money and other public property in their hands, upon their executing
receipts for the same, to be used as vouchers in the settlement of
their accounts.

Hon.
George W. Manypenny
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Sir,
Having
executed my official bond, which I herewith transmit, I immediately
repaired to Milwaukie, and on my arrival learned that Dr. Dart, the
late incumbent, had left the Territory about two weeks previously. The
Superintendent's House was in the occupancy of Mr. Lot
Whitcomb,
who stated that he was requested by Dr. Dart to occupy the building and
take charge of the government property there until the arrival of his
successor in office, and presented me a paper purporting to be a copy
of a receipt given by him to Dr. Dart which is marked "A" and herewith
transmitted. A similar copy postmarked San Francisco and addressed to
"the successor of Anson Dart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs Oregon,"
by whom sent I know not, was received by the last mail. The articles
mentioned in the receipt above referred to comprise the sum total of
government property found on the premises.
In consequence of not obtaining the key
to the desk
containing the books and papers of the Department until the 13th inst.,
I was unable to transact any business of the office prior to that date,
which is my apology for not at an earlier date transmitting you a
statement of the condition of the office as I found it. The key was in
the custody of Mr. DuBois, the former clerk, from whom it was received.
The accounts as found in the books of
the Department
are in an imperfect state and present several discrepancies, which
however may all be made clear to the Indian Department at Washington by
vouchers now, or to be hereafter placed, in your possession. A number
of the entries both in the ledger and day book are interlined and in
pencil mark. The entries in the day book show the entire amount of
monies received by the Superintendent to be $67,383.40, and the
disbursements $67,127.12, leaving a balance in favor of the government
of $256.28.
The Superintendent's acct. in the ledger
exhibits a
balance in his favor of $94.58. This discrepancy is evidently caused by
the omission to carry into the ledger the sum of $350.87 received from
Governor Gaines and in the day book placed to the cr. of the United
States. This said sum of $350.87 was a part of an appropriation of
Congress to defray the expenses of treaties made with the Indians by
the commissioners for that purpose, yet it is not credited to the
government in the account of receipts and disbursements under the head
of Indian Treaties; the only credit to the United States in this
account being the sum of $6000 appropriated for carrying on treaties
with the Indians of Oregon by the act of Congress of July 21st, 1852.
Under the several heads of
Appropriations to
"Superintendent's and Agents' Houses," "Pay of Superintendents and
Agents," "Pay of Sub-Indian Agents & Interpreters," "Office
Rents,
Fuel, Lights, Stationery & Clerk Hire," "Presents,
Contingencies
and Traveling Expenses" & "Indian Treaties" the aggregate amt.
of
receipts is $67,032.53 and the aggregate amt. of disbursements
$59,290.89 showing an excess of receipts over disbursements of
$7,741.64. In the above amount of disbursements is included the sum of
$707.75, the amount of two entries under the head of "Superintendent's
and Agents' Houses," in pencil mark, evidently made after the other
entries, though first in order on the page. The state of the above
accounts will more fully appear in the accompanying abstract marked "B."
I deem it my duty to call your attention
to the
following matter which my predecessor will possibly be able to explain
satisfactorily. In a communication of the late Superintendent to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated January 10th 1853 transmitting his
quarterly report of receipts and disbursements for the 4th quarter
1852, an allowance of $1,000 is claimed for the furniture of
Superintendent's House.
By reference to Mr. Whitcomb's receipt
marked "A"
you will see the whole amount of the furniture turned over. These
articles at the highest Oregon
prices
are not worth more than $210, viz. walnut desk $130, cooking stove
& furniture $68, four office chairs $12. The office table is
made
of rough boards and is of no value.
I find among the papers a bill of
furniture &c.
sold by Anson Dart, Superintendent, to Lot Whitcomb Esqr. amounting to
$1135.61, a copy of which accompanies this communication, marked "C."
In the absence of other furniture I have thought that this is probably
that for which the late Superintendent claimed the allowance referred
to above.
It appears from a rapid review of the
acts of
Congress touching Indian affairs in Oregon that the aggregate of
appropriations to this object does not fall short of $125,000, and it
is naturally a subject of much interest to the people, here and
elsewhere, to know, if possible, what disposition has been made of this
large Indian Fund so munificently and justly provided by Congressional
enactments. This consideration will, I hope, be regarded as a
sufficient apology for calling the attention of the Indian Bureau to
this topic of inquiry. But little appears as yet accomplished by this
large expenditure to improve the condition of the warring tribes of
Oregon or meet the just expectations of the government.
There is reason to believe that claims
to a
considerable amount for past services remain unpaid--the salaries of
all the employees of the Department for the present quarter will soon
be due, besides a variety of contingent expenses; several distant
points among the tribes especially on the different routes of
emigrations should be visited to conciliate the minds of the Indians,
now much excited by not receiving the long-delayed presents that have
been promised them, and other causes, yet to meet these just and
pressing demands and to accomplish these important purposes there is
not one dollar of funds in my hands. Unless speedy remittances be
received the most mortifying embarrassments must ensue.
The encroachment of the whites upon
their land, the
growing impression that the government is delaying to make permanent
provision for them till they have dwindled away & the mortality
that has attended diseases brought among them by the whites, have
generally aroused the apprehensions of the Indians, and serious
difficulties among the more warlike tribes of the Upper Columbia can
only be prevented by prompt and efficient measures to conciliate or
intimidate them. I have learned that it has been deemed advisable to
send a small detachment of troops from Fort Vancouver to the Dalles.
The smallpox has made fearful ravages
among the
Indians south of Clatsop Plains and north of the Columbia River as far
as Puget Sound--entire families have been cut off and whole villages
depopulated, destroyed. Late accounts are received that it has made its
appearance at the Dalles and is making fearful progress in its fatal
work among the Indians of that vicinity. The only hope of arresting the
ravages of this terrible disease among the unfortunate natives appears
to be vaccinations, and I would respectfully and earnestly press upon
your consideration the propriety of authorizing the Superintendent and
agents to appoint physicians to meet the Indians at suitable points and
vaccinate the remaining tribes.
A new wagon road will soon be opened
from the
Santiam Valley across the Cascade Mountains to the vicinity of Fort
Boise. This road, leading through a country inhabited by tribes
unaccustomed to the usages of the whites, and of hostile character,
will be traveled by a large portion of the emigration who will settle
in the southern portions of Oregon. I think it very important that an
agent be sent to that region as early as possible to secure the
friendship and good conduct of the Indians and guard the interests of
the passing emigrants.
These Indians have never, I believe,
been visited by
an officer of this Department, and I would respectfully suggest that a
sub-agent be appointed to reside, if practicable, at least temporarily
in that part of the Territory.
In view of the large emigration expected
this season
overland to Oregon & California, and the difficulties
heretofore
frequently occurring between the emigrants and Indians, I shall deem it
necessary to direct the agent in Middle Oregon to visit in person the
Indians along the road between the Blue Mountains and Fort Hall, and by
a few presents, judiciously bestowed, and wholesome advice, restrain
the thievish propensities of these Indians & preserve peace.
Your attention is respectfully invited
to the following suggestions in regard to the Superintendent's House.
Since the erection of the new Territory
of
Washington, the present location of the Superintendency is within
fifteen miles of the northern boundary of Oregon. The larger portion of
the Indian tribes under our supervision, and all except those tribes
immediately along the Columbia River, reside south of the present
location. The distance to the California boundary approaches three
hundred miles. The goods destined for the Indians along the Columbia
River, Middle and Upper Oregon, should not be brought up as far as
Milwaukie, but could be conveniently shipped from the eastern ports of
the United States direct to Vancouver on the Columbia, where government
is already possessed of suitable storehouses. This indeed is, at
present at least, the proper point to which to direct all goods needed
by the Indian Superintendency in Oregon, whence those needed for the
Indians of the Upper Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue River might be
conveyed to some convenient depot accessible by boats in the direction
of those tribes. At this depot the larger portion of the goods would be
stored, and there would be the proper place, because more central, for
the Superintendent to reside.
The present building at Milwaukie in
construction
and style of finish is fitted only for a private residence and
possesses none of the conveniences suitable for an office, that
apartment now occupied as such being the hall, which is the common
thoroughfare of the house. This house, too, is so constructed as to
require in order to furnish it suitably an outlay of means, unwarranted
by the limited salary of the Superintendent, and the contingent tenure
by which his office is held.
I feel quite confident that a location
more central,
and much more convenient for the Superintendent, agents, and Indians
who may visit the Superintendency, can be made, and that the necessary
buildings--dwelling house, office, warehouse and other
conveniences--can there be erected at less cost than that here incurred
in the erection of the dwelling house alone. I therefore respectfully
suggest the propriety of selling the building at Milwaukie, which may
be effected on terms, I believe, not disadvantageous to the Department.
It will be exceedingly inconvenient for
me to occupy
this building, either as a dwelling or an office; I therefore ask
permission to hold my office temporarily at Dayton, a point almost
daily visited by steamboats from Oregon City, situated on the Yamhill
River in Yamhill County about thirty miles southwest from Milwaukie,
until, in the event of the approval of suggestion for the sale of the
present house, a suitable location be made and the necessary buildings
erected.

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 101-110.

Superintendency
Indian Affairs
Milwaukie June 15th 1853

Sir
I have the honor to inform you that a
note has been
received at this office from Agent Skinner enclosing a copy of a letter
to His Excellency President Pierce, tendering the resignation of his
office of Indian agent for Oregon Territory, and dated May 1st, 1853.

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the third
ultimo, informing me of the appointment of Messrs. Joseph
[sic] L.
Parrish,
Philip F. Thompson and W. W. Raymond sub-Indian agents for Oregon, vice
Messrs. Samuel Culver, Lewis H. Judson and Josiah L. Parrish [omission], which
letter is placed on the files of this office.

Being informed
that a party of thirty or forty men was about to set out in a few days
along the route of the new road from the Willamette Valley to Fort
Boise for the purpose of completing that work, yet in an unfinished
state on the eastern end, I have availed myself of this safe and
economical escort to send Agent Garrison to visit the Indian tribes
through whose country the road pases.
The consideration that these Indians
have never been
visited by a government officer, that they have repeatedly evinced
hostility to white men passing through their country, and that a large
portion of the emigration of the present season will pass that way to
their destination in the southern part of our Territory, who will be
subject to annoyance and injury, if not destruction, from those savages
unless they are speedily conciliated or intimidated, has induced me,
without awaiting the instructions of the Indian Department at
Washington which could not be obtained in time to meet the emergency,
to assume the responsibility of the step referred to above, which I
trust will meet your approval. I have directed Mr. Garrison to call the
chiefs of the tribes together as opportunity may offer for conference
and have supplied him with a few Indian goods as presents. I have also
directed him to take notes on all topics of interest respecting the
country and its inhabitants for the use of the Department, all of which
will more fully appear by reference to the copy of his instructions
which I herewith transmit. Owing to the absence of funds I am compelled
to purchase the goods and outfit of the expedition on credit till the
appropriate remittance is made.
No official information of the
appointment of Indian
agents, except that of I. M. Garrison Esq., has been received. I have
however seen a notice of the appointment of Messrs. Samuel H. Culver
and Robert R. Thompson in the New
York Herald.

The agency in the southern part of the Territory being vacated by the
resignation of Mr. Skinner, and the interests of the Department
demanding the early presence of an agent in that quarter, presuming on
the accuracy of the statement in the Herald, I have
assigned Mr. Culver to it and have written to him at his post at Port
Orford (a point with which communication is slow and difficult),
directing him immediately on receiving his commission to proceed to
this office for instructions preparatory to his entering on duty in
that field.
Mr. R. R. Thompson is said to be on his
way over the plains and will probably arrive in September. The presence
of an agent is pressingly demanded in Middle Oregon, and I have
proposed the matter to Mr. Philip F. Thompson, one of the recently
appointed sub-agents. He is, however, unwilling to go unless allowed
the pay of a full agent, and in view of the state of affairs in that
quarter, which you will have learned from my former letter, the long
acquaintance of Mr. Thompson with Indian character, and his
well-attested integrity, I have determined to locate him temporarily at
the Utilla Agency till the arrival of Mr. R. R. Thompson, and earnestly
recommend that the Department comply with his terms in regard to salary.
I at first intended to assign Agent
Garrison
temporarily to the Utilla Agency, but on reflection deemed that the
service would not be promoted by doing so.
Had Isaiah L. Parrish Esq. received the
appointment of agent,
his long service in that Department, intimate acquaintance with Indian
character, and business tact, would have ensured a favorable result in
his assignment to the duty of visiting the Indians on the new route
from the head of the valley to Fort Boise, but as sub-agent, the meager
salary of $750 per year, scarcely equal to that of a common laborer, is
wholly inadequate. I would respectfully recommend that, in the event of
a vacancy, Mr. Parrish be appointed to a full agency.
I would call the attention of the
Department to the
fact that a general restlessness and dissatisfaction exists among those
tribes with whom treaties were negotiated, on account of their
non-ratification.
They have become distrustful of all
promises made
them by the United States, and believe the design of the government is
to defer doing anything for them till they have wasted away. The
settlement of the whites on the tracts which they regarded as secured
to them by solemn treaty stipulations results among the Indians of the
valley in frequent misunderstandings between them and the settlers and
occasions and augments bitter animosities and resentments. I am in the
almost daily receipt of complaints and petitions for a redress of
wrongs from both parties.
The increasing settlements are rapidly
diminishing
the roots and game on which the Indians of the valley mainly subsist,
and the increasing difficulties in obtaining subsistence, in the
absence of moral restraint, impels them to the frequent commission of
petty thefts, a source of annoyance, loss and irritation to the
settlers.
A few of the Indians are inclined to
industry and
are useful as laborers; but the mass are exceedingly indolent and
improvident, and the propensity to gamble, so strong and universal in
the red man, exists in all. Advantage is often taken of this habit by
unprincipled whites to strip the Indians of their horses, blankets and
other property, to absolute destitution. The same hand, despite of
every effort to prevent it, and regardless of the heavy penalty of the
law, often introduces ardent spirits into their lodges, where the
savage is still further degraded by intoxication and polluted by other
vicious indulgences.
This is a dark picture, and strikingly
in contrast,
I admit, with some that have been drawn of the social condition of
these tribes and bands, but I believe none of its lines are too darkly
traced, and other not inviting or redeeming features might be added.
That these Indians cannot long remain on
the reserves
in the heart of the settlements granted them by treaty, even though
Congress should confirm those treaties, is too clear to admit of
argument. Vice and disease, the baleful gifts of civilization, are
hurrying them away, and ere long the bones of the last of many a band
may whiten on the graves of his ancestors. If the benevolent designs of
the government to preserve and elevate these remnants of the aborigines
are to be carried forward to a successful issue, there appears but one
path open--a home remote from the settlements must be selected for
them. There they must be guarded from the pestiferous influence of
degraded white men and restrained by proper laws from violence and
wrong among themselves. Let comfortable houses be erected for them,
seeds and proper implements furnished, and instruction and
encouragement given them in the cultivation of the soil. Let school
houses be erected teachers employed to instruct their children; and let
the missionaries of the gospel of peace be encouraged to dwell among
them. Let completeness of plan, energy, patience and perseverance
characterize the effort, and if still it fail, the government will have
at least the satisfaction of knowing that an honest and determined
endeavor was made to save and elevate a fallen race.
Should the government adopt the plan of
colonizing
these tribes, the selection of a proper territory in which to place
them is an important consideration, and the selection should only be
made after extensive and careful exploration. With this view I have
given special instructions to Agent Garrison in regard to the country
through which the expedition on which he is now entering will pass.
The Cayuses, Nez Perces and other tribes
of the
middle region express much opposition to having the coast and valley
Indians colonized in their territories, as they dread with good reason
indeed the introduction of a people among them with whom diseases
loathsome and fatal, contracted by their intercourse with white men,
have become hereditary. Nor do the coast and valley Indians in general
feel less reluctance to being removed east of the Cascade Range, and
most probable, should it be deemed best to place them in that region,
it would be necessary to give them military protection from the Indians
now inhabiting them.
The habits and languages of the Indians
of the
valley are, for the most part, more coincident with those of the coast
tribes than those of the interior, and they are generally on terms of
friendship and free intercourse. It has on this account been suggested
that a portion of the Pacific coast might be designated as the future
home of the Indians of the Willamette Valley.
On the coast generally, game, such as
elk, deer,
bear, pheasants and waterfowl, abounds; the numerous small streams in
the proper season are crowded with salmon, and the rocks and beach
afford a variety of clams and mussels.
There are many small valleys well
adapted to the
culture of grain and vegetables, especially the potato; while the tide
meadows near the streams and the hills on the coast are covered
throughout the year with luxuriant grass. Wholesome berries and roots
are also abundant.
Rugged mountains separate this tract
from the valley
of the Willamette. The want of safe entrances at the mouths of the
rivers and of harbors repel ingress from the sea; the valleys, though
numerous, are too small to invite for many years the settlement of the
whites. These features seem peculiarly to mark this region as the
proper retreat of the waning Indian tribes.
This description, derived from reliable
sources,
refers to that part of the coast between the Yaquina and Alsea rivers.
During this summer, if the duties of the Department permit, I intend to
explore this region and other parts of the coast, and my personal
examination will enable me to speak more certainly of the adaptation of
the coast region to be made the future home of the Indians of the
valley.
It is evident that delay in coming to a
full and
definite understanding with the Indian bands residing in the
settlements serves greatly to increase the difficulty of final
adjustment. In the absence of instructions from the Department, I feel
much embarrassed how to proceed in adjusting existing difficulties. My
conviction from what I have said may be easily inferred, that these
evils can scarcely be mitigated by any means in my power, and only
abated by the removal of the Indians. The peace of society, the
security of property, the welfare of the Indian, demand it. I would,
therefore, respectfully request your early consideration of the
subject, and instruction in the premises.
In consequence of the increasing
violations of the
laws prohibiting the giving and selling of spirituous liquors to the
Indians, and the great difficulty of convicting persons so engaged, I
have deemed it advisable to appoint a special agent to visit the
different points where this traffic is most extensively carried on, and
collect such information as would enable the agents of the Department
more effectually to break up these establishments and bring the
violators of the laws to justice. I have appointed Mr. Cris. Taylor to
this service, and information is already obtained deeply implicating
several persons heretofore not suspected.
Washington Territory being no longer
within the
Superintendency, yet in an unorganized state, many persons have
established themselves for the sale of spirituous liquors on the north
side of the Columbia River and hope thus to violate the laws with
impunity. The special agent above alluded to has placed in my
possession information which will enable the proper officers of that
Territory to bring those persons to justice.
It may be proper to state that I have
employed Mr.
Edward R. Geary as clerk in this office, at a salary of eighteen
hundred dollars per annum. This is the amount of salary allowed to the
clerk of my predecessor, and the services of a competent and reliable
person could not be secured for a smaller sum.
His services commenced on the 28th May
last.
I beg leave to call the attention of the
Department
to the propriety of removing a band of the Klickitat Indians, who have
been roaming through the Willamette and Umpqua valleys for a few years
past, to their proper country, north of the Columbia. This band
consists of about thirty warriors, with their families. Being more
warlike and better armed and mounted than the Indians on this side of
the river, and of predatory habits, they often with impunity
appropriate the horses and other property of weak and scattered bands,
and are an annoyance and terror to all, nor has the property of the
white settlers always been respected by them. They have not the least
show of claim to any portion of country in these valleys.

Hon. George W. Manypenny
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington D.C.NARA Series M2, Microcopy of
Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs, Reel 11, Instructions and
Reports 1853-1855, pages 84-90.

Rogue River Valley
June 24, 1853

Dear Sir
The salary of the interpreter at the Rogue River Agency since his
appointment in Jany. 1852 is unpaid, as also my last quarter's salary
as Ind. Agent.
A short time previous to the resignation
of Dr.
Dart I sent down for the money and was informed by him that the last
appropriation had not then been forwarded to him. I should be much
obliged if you would inform me when you are in funds for the payment of
salaries, as I am greatly in want of the money, and the interpreter is
anxious to leave for the States this summer.

Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the sixth May informing me of the appointment
of Messrs. Samuel H. Culver and Robert R. Thompson to be agents for the
Indians in Oregon.

Sir
The attention of the Department is
respectfully
requested to the following extract of a letter received from Josiah L.
Parrish Esq. of Salem, Marion county, O.T., viz:
"Allow me to inform you that the
commission of
Joseph L. Parrish as sub-Indian agent has come to this post office, and
the postmaster has forwarded it to me. Should I continue to serve in
the Indian Department, I presume it will not be proper to serve under
the commission, and the attention of the Secretary of the Interior
should be called to the matter at an early day with an explanation how
the mistake occurred."
The commission under which Josiah L.
Parrish has
acted for several years as sub-Indian agent was originally made out in
the name of Joseph L. Parrish, and as no person was known in Oregon of
that name, and as the application had been made in the name of J. L.
Parrish, Josiah L. Parrish was presumed to be the person indicated, and
he acted accordingly. But inasmuch as W. W. Raymond is appointed vice Josiah L.
Parrish, and Joseph L. Parrish appointed vice Samuel
H. Culver, Mr. Parrish apprehends it was designed to remove him. Hence
his desire to have a correct understanding of the matter. Mr. Parrish
is willing to serve as sub-agent in this valley, but alleges the
compensation would not warrant him in leaving his home to locate in so
remote a place as Port Orford.
Similar difficulties occur in assigning
other agents
& sub-agents to their respective districts. As instances, Mr.
Philip F. Thompson resides in Yamhill County, while the district of Mr.
Judson, in whose place he is appointed, is at the mouth of the Columbia
River about 150 miles from Mr. Thompson's residence. Mr. W. W. Raymond
resides on Clatsop Plains in Mr. Judson's district, while Mr. Parrish
resides (as already stated) at Salem about 200 miles from Clatsop.
Mr. R. R. Thompson's appointment seems
to be
designed for Washington Territory, as Mr. E. A. Starling, in whose
place he is appointed, is located on the north side of the Columbia
River.
In the present state of Indian affairs
the services
of Mr. R. R. Thompson will be much needed within the present limits of
the Territory of Oregon, and I respectfully request the early
instruction of the Department as to my authority to assign him to duty
within my Superintendency.
Until further advices from the
Department, Mr.
Josiah L. Parrish will continue to act as sub-agent in this valley, the
services of an active and experienced person being indispensable to
ferret out and break up the numerous whisky establishments among the
Indians. At no time since the organization of the Territory has this
illegal and ruinous traffic been carried on with the Indians so
exclusively as at present. The difficulty of procuring testimony in
such cases, chiefly arising from the aversion of the Indians to testify
against persons who minister to their appetites & the length of
time intervening between the regular terms of the courts, together with
the great difficulty and expense of retaining the perpetrators in
custody from the want of jails in most of the counties, render
conviction even in the most palpable cases almost impossible. The chief
scene of these illegal operations is the north side of the Columbia
River from its mouth to the Cascades.
Being beyond the jurisdiction of this
Superintendency, and the agency at Olympia being remote, these liquor
dealers increase in numbers and boldness from the hope they have of
escaping with entire impunity. Early instructions from the Department
in regard to the course to be pursued in this matter will relieve me
from much embarrassment, and may secure the peace and safety of many
settlers, now constantly subject to annoyance and apprehension.
The attention of the Department is
solicited to the
fact that the 46th degree of north latitude--the designated boundary
between Oregon & Washington territories--traverses the
territories
of several Indian tribes--the Walla Wallas, Cayuses, Nez Perces and
others east of these, thus placing a portion of each tribe in different
superintendencies.
It is probable that the greater part of
the Cayuse
country is south of the territorial boundary while a large part of that
of the Walla Wallas is north. The location of the country of the Nez
Perces is not well ascertained, some contending that their whole
territory is north of the 46th parallel, and others that a considerable
part is on the south side. Such instructions from the Department are
requested as may prevent a conflict of jurisdictions in the premises
between this Superintendency & that of Washington Territory.
The boundary between the Cayuses and
Walla Wallas is
not well defined, and a misunderstanding exists between them in regard
to a considerable tract of country within the limits of this Territory.
The interposition of the government to adjust this difficulty may be
called for at an early day.
I would suggest the importance of early
negotiations
with the Walla Wallas, Cayuses, Nez Perces, Wascopams and Deschutes or
Fall River Indians for the extinguishment of their titles respectively
to the territory held by them which lies within this Territory. This
would secure to us the country traversed by the route of emigration and
include extensive tracts of country well adapted to pasturage and
agriculture, which already attract the notice [of], and will soon be
occupied by, our enterprising citizens. The settlement of the whites
there without the consent of the Indians would inevitably provoke their
hostility, and legislation to provide for treating with those tribes on
the subject of ceding these lands will claim the early attention of
Congress.
In view of the increase of military
force in Oregon
I would suggest that a detachment be stationed (during the arrival of
emigrants at least) on the Utilla River at the western base of the Blue
Mountains. It is feared that unless some power beyond that of an agent
be placed in that vicinity, serious difficulties may occur between the
emigrants and Indians. A general feeling of excitement exists among all
the more powerful tribes of the interior arising in part from the
fatality recently attending the smallpox among them, and a mere trifle
may impel them to hostilities.
It is well known that in the emigration
of every
year there are reckless and evil-minded persons ready and anxious to
commit violence upon all Indians they meet, and the Indians have
already learned that they have nothing to expect from their justice or
humanity. The presence of a small but efficient military force will
probably be the most effectual barrier to violence and outrage both on
the part of the whites and Indians. A company should also be in
readiness to protect the emigrants expected on the new road from Fort
Boise to the head of the valley. They may not be needed, but it may be
well to be prepared to meet the emergency should it occur.
Much excitement exists in the Rogue
River country in
consequence of the alleged murder of a party of white men by the
Indians. My information is that during last winter a party consisting
of seven white men and an Indian woman, the wife of one of the men,
were encamped about twenty miles below the lower crossing of Rogue
River engaged in mining. There was but little intercourse between the
settlements and parties so low down, but after the melting of the snow
and the subsiding of the waters, which had risen to an extraordinary
height, information was brought by the Indians that these seven men had
been drowned by the overflow of an island on which they were said to be
encamped, and that the Indian woman had saved herself by climbing a
tree.
Events during the spring and summer
occurred to
create suspicion that the seven men had been murdered by the Indians,
and at length it became so strong that an Indian chief named Taylor was
arrested, who confessed the crime and gave the particulars of the
massacre. He stated that about thirty Indians participated in the deed,
coming stealthily upon the party by night while they were asleep in
their cabin, and that the bodies of the murdered persons were thrown
into the river. This was during the period of high water. Taylor gave
the names of the Indians engaged with him in perpetrating the murder,
several of whom were well known to the whites. The Indian woman also
confessed her knowledge of the transaction and confirmed the statements
of Taylor. This chief and three of his associates have been hung and
two others shot, while a close watch is kept for the others implicated.
It is supposed by some that the two head chiefs of the Rogue River
Indians, Jo and
Sam, were
so far implicated as to receive a portion of the money taken from the
murdered persons, which is supposed to have amounted to several
thousand dollars.

I
have the honor to be Very
respectfully your
Obedient servant
Joel
Palmer
Superintendent of Ind. Affrs.
Oregon
Territory

Sir
I enclose herewith a letter from C. M.
Walker Esqr. respecting the pay of himself and party for services
rendered on Rogue River in the year 1851.
As I have not been able to see the act
of Congress referred to in his letter, I have thought it best to refer
the subject to you for information as to the steps necessary to be
taken to enable the claimants to realize their respective portions of
the appropriation for their benefit.

Joel
Palmer Esqr.
Dr. Sir
I notice
through one of the
authorized journals that the U.S. Congress has made an appropriation
for paying myself & party for services rendered on Rogue River
in
the year 1851. As the amt. appropriated has not been forwarded by the
authorized officer at Washington City, will you do me the kindness to
address that functionary on the subject and have the money forwarded to
yourself, or whomsoever that officer may decide to be the proper
person, at the earliest convenient period, and oblige

Sir
I have the honor in accordance with
instructions to forward to you for use of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs my first annual report.
I entered upon the discharge
of my duties as sub-agent for this district on the 5th day of August
1852, and arrived at this place on the 11th day of September following,
and found the Indians in the immediate vicinity of this point quiet and
generally friendly, though complaining very much of the delay in the
reception of annuities stipulated to be paid in the treaties made with
them by Dr. Dart. It was not without difficulty I made them understand
the cause of this delay, but have reason to think I finally succeeded
in doing so. The bands with which treaties were made by him are the
Quar-toes, U-que-ches
["Euchres"]
and Tututnis,
whose country is situated contiguous to this town.
Within the limits assigned for this
sub-agency there are eleven 11 bands of Indians. Commencing on the
north
are the Na-sast, who inhabit the country bordering on the Coquille
River, and distant from this place about thirty miles. They are at this
time friendly to the whites, although they were not so until since
March last at which time in company with a small detachment of U.S.
dragoons, Lieut. Stanton in command, I visited them, and succeeded in
forming a peace with the band, which has up to the present time been
strictly observed, and has the appearance of being permanent. They
number about eight hundred.
Next south upon the coast are the
Quartoes. Their country embraces this sub-agency (Port Orford). They
are friendly and have but few bad habits, as is the case with all the
bands in my district. The one most to be dreaded is the use of ardent
spirits, but they have not as yet acquired it, nor have any of the
Indians within this district. I have not seen or heard of an
intoxicated Indian among them since my residence here, although there
have been considerable supplies of liquor in the country during all
this time. They have not been permitted to cultivate a taste for it.
They number about two hundred.
Next south are the U-que-ches. They are
friendly and appear to be well disposed towards the whites, and
peaceable among themselves, as are all the bands of whom I shall speak
in this report. They number about two hundred & fifty.
Next south, and at the mouth of Rogue
River, are the Ja-shoes. This band has been unfriendly and hostile to
the whites, although they have at times permitted parties to pass
through their country unmolested, but as they admitted to me, only when
the party was too strong to attack, or so small as to make the booty
not worth the trouble and risk.
Their principal village is located at
the mouth of Rogue River, and they number about four hundred.
Following this stream next above are
the Tututnis,
distant about twelve miles from the Ja-shoes. This band
also number about four hundred. They have been from the first
commencement of the settlement here uniformly friendly to the whites,
which when it is considered that the bands immediately above and below
them on the river have been hostile cannot but be considered as quite
remarkable.
Next above on the river is what has been
called the Upper Ja-shoes, but more properly and as they term
themselves the Mikonotunnes.
Their principal village is about twenty miles above the Tututnis,
and they number about three hundred. This band, like the Ja-shoes at
the mouth of the river, have not heretofore been friendly with the
whites, but on the occasion of a visit I made to the adjoining band, of
which I shall speak hereafter, I succeeded in making a peace with them,
which has since been observed.
Still following up the river, we next
reach a band which has also been called the Upper Ja-shoes, but their
proper name and the one by which they call themselves, and are known to
the other tribes, is the Cis-ti-coas-tas
["Shasta Costas"],
distant about twenty miles above the Ma-qui-no-tons. The two last
mentioned bands have been called branches of the Ja-shoes, because of
their having heretofore acted in council against the whites. They
number about six hundred. Their principal villages are located near the
Big Bend of Rogue River. After having made several fruitless efforts to
induce the unfriendly bands above named, that is, the Ja-shoes, Ma-qui-no-tons
and Cis-ta-coas-tas,
to come into the agency for the purpose of making
or endeavoring to make a peace, and becoming daily more and more
assured of the necessity of something being done to prevent hostilities
between them and the parties of whites frequently passing through their
country, and others engaged in mining within and above its borders, I
without further delay started on the first of April in company as
before with a detachment of dragoons, Lieut. Stanton in command, for
their country, or rather for their village occupied by the Tututnis,
deeming it best to visit their village, because of them I
could obtain messengers (this band as aforesaid being friendly) to send
both above and below to these bands with whom I desired a council. On
the third day after setting out we reached the village, and as
anticipated had no difficulty in obtaining messengers to send to the
Ja-shoes below and the Ma-qui-no-tons and Cis-ta-coas-tas
above, and
they were dispatched accordingly in their canoes, bearing an invitation
to them to meet us at the village of the Tututnis,
but as before
they all declined doing so, and sent word in reply that "if the Bostons
wanted to fight to come on." Upon receipt of a second reply similar to
the above Lieut. Stanton started down to the Ja-shoes village and made
a rapid march upon it, and when he arrived near them, they immediately
manifested a desire for peace. A short parley followed, and I had but
little further difficulty in making a treaty with them, which they have
to this time observed with apparent good faith.
The Ma-quo-no-tons and Cis-ta-coas-tas
above, upon learning the result with the Ja-shoes (who had been the
principal cause of the hostility of the other two bands to the whites)
immediately sent in deputies with intentions to make a treaty of peace,
and one was made with each of these bands, which they have since
adhered to.
Since the above treaties were made the
chief men of all these bands have frequently visited me at the agency,
and as often made, I believe, sincere professions of friendship.
Next south of Rogue River upon the
coast, and on a small stream known as Ford River [Pistol River?], is
located a small band that call themselves Uhe-cin-nat-tins,
distant from Rogue River about ten miles. They number about two
hundred, are peaceable among themselves and friendly to the whites.
South ten miles further on Rock Creek
are the Nat-te-na-tons. This band numbers about the same as the one
[on] Ford River and are equally well dispersed.
Located adjoining to the last described
band on the south are the Chetcoes,
about three hundred in number, also friendly.
Next south twelve miles on Illinois
River are the Whoa-quits, a large band containing some seven or eight
hundred members, whose country I suppose extends to the line between
this county and California. There is no other band in this territory
west of the Coast Range south of these, and whether they occupy any
portion of the country south of the forty-second degree of north
latitude, I am unable to state.
It will be seen that there are few bands
south of Rogue River. I have not been able to visit either of their
villages, through I desire to do so, but have frequently seen some of
the chiefs, and others belonging to the three first bands south of the
river, and they uniformly professed friendship to our people, and I
have no reason to doubt their sincerity. I have not seen any of the
Indians belonging to the most southern band. There has been no
difficulty between them and the whites, or with the other bands of
Indians since my residence here, that has come to my knowledge, and my
means of obtaining information has been such that a misunderstanding or
meditated attack could hardly exist among them without information of
it coming to me at an early moment. There has in fact been no serious
difficulty between the whites and Indians, or amongst the Indians
themselves, since my residence at this point, and although slight
misunderstandings have from time to time arisen, I have succeeded by
prompt attention, aided by the forbearance of our citizens, and when
necessary assistance promptly given by the officer in command of this
post, in bringing about, without delay, an amicable settlement of all
matters in contention.
A part of the Indians in this district,
previous to my arrival here, and for some time afterwards, were hostile
to the whites, and it was not without difficulty and danger that
parties traveled through their country. The bands occupying the
district bordering on the Coquille had committed serious depredations
upon exploring and other companies of our citizens passing through this
country, the history of which is familiar to the public. After making
treaties of peace with the unfriendly bands, which was done at
as early a moment as possible, I was compelled being without any goods
at my disposal for distribution among them in case of necessity, to use
every exertion by frequent conferences with them, and otherwise to
maintain the friendly relations established, and have the satisfaction
of stating that so far I have been able to do so.
The country occupied by the various
bands of Indians in this district lies upon the western slope of the
Coast Range of mountains, and extends from the seaboard to their
summit, a distance on the average of some forty or fifty miles. It is
generally mountainous, though not precipitous, and small valleys
between the hills, well watered and timbered, and offers many
inducements to the settler. A few claims have already been taken in the
vicinity of this place, with the view of permanent settlement and
cultivation. The streams I have mentioned in describing the location of
the different bands of Indians all empty into the ocean but afford no
harbors, nor with the exception of the Coquille are they navigable.
From the best information I have been
able to gather a small light draft steamer might run up the Coquille
some forty or fifty miles. The country on both sides of the stream is
represented as generally very good farming land, so far as it has been
explored, which is some sixty miles.
The ascent from the coast to the summit
of the mountains is generally gradual, and hence the difficulty of
crossing them is not as great as has been represented.
The whole number of Indians in this
district I estimate at about five thousand. Their principal food
consists of the ordinary kinds of fish found in the streams in this
country, including most varieties of shellfish, which are obtained by
them along the seacoast bounding on one side of their country in great
abundance, together with elk and deer meat procured by their hunters,
with the aid of the bow and arrow, to the extent of all their wants and
with little difficulty.
There is no season of the year during
which any of the bands in this district meet with the least difficulty
in obtaining abundance of foods. I am not acquainted with any tribe of
Indians in Oregon, or elsewhere, whose country affords so abundant, and
at all times reliable, supply as this, and they live with ease and
apparent contentment. Cheerful among themselves and to all appearances
happy, they exhibit little of the moody and morose disposition so
frequently manifested amongst Indians roaming, with a few exceptions,
throughout any part of this large extent of territory at will, without
hindrance or fear from other bands.
A report has been for some time current
among the miners and others in this vicinity, and more particularly in
the Rogue River Valley, that two white women were in captivity among
some of the Indians in the southern part of the territory. It has been
said that they were taken some years ago from some of the immigrants
who traveled the southern route to Oregon, and at the time [were]
supposed to have been killed. Various rumors have been afloat with
regard to the matter, and some to the effect that indications have from
time to time been discovered along the trail over which parties of
Indians had recently passed, confirming the suspicion that white women
are among them.
I first heard this rumor during the
summer of 1851 in the Rogue River Valley, and inquiries were then made
of the Indians by Gen. Lane relative to it, but without any
satisfactory result, either as to the truth or falsity. Upon arriving
at
this place and finding the same suspicion quite prevalent,
and knowing the hindrances in the way of obtaining any reliable
information from the Indians in the Rogue River Valley by reason of the
frequent difficulties arising between them and our own people in this
section, I determined to use every exertion with the Indians in this
district to learn the probable facts in the case. To this end suitable
rewards were offered, and other inducements held out, to Indians in
whom I placed most confidence, for any information which would lead to
their discovery if held in bondage, as was reported, either among the
Rogue Rivers or any other Indians in this part of the Territory. But I
have not been able to ascertain anything going to confirm the
suspicion, and the result of several subsequent efforts were equally
against the report.
The communication between the Indians in
the valley of Rogue River in the east, and those in this district in
the west of the Coast Range, though not very frequent, is sufficient to
give them, at least, a general knowledge of the facts in a case of this
nature. I am therefore of the opinion that if there are white women
among any tribes in Southern Oregon they are held by Indians east of
the Rogue River Valley.
Sometime in the latter part of April
last discoveries of gold were made at this point. It has since been
found north and south of here, for a distance each way of some twenty
or thirty miles. It is mixed with large quantities of black sand, and
is very fine, the particles of gold being nearly as small as those of
the sand itself. Some five percent of platinum is also found mixed with
the gold, which by using quicksilver is easily separated from it. The
diggings have up to this time been mostly confined to the beach,
commencing in the sand above on a level with the water at high tide,
and running back nearly on the same level, finding gold in the sand as
far back as they have been worked, paying the miner from five to
twenty-five dollars per day, and in some instances more. Exploring
parties have recently visited the interior for the purpose of
"prospecting" "coarse gold" and they have, I believe, in every instance
succeeded in finding it, but to what extent is now unknown. How much
these mines will be worked hereafter, and what returns will generally
be obtained from them, is uncertain, but the district has every
appearance of being a good gold country.

I
have the honor to remain
Your obt. servant
S. H. Culver
Indian
Sub-Agent

Gen.Joel Palmer
Superintendent Ind. AffairsNARA Series M2, Microcopy of
Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 7; Letter
Books F:10, pages 10-14. The original letter is
found in NARA Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 13; Letters
Received, 1853, No. 28. Another copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 227-240.

Department of the
Interior
Office Indian Affairs
August 1
1853.

Sir:
Your letter of the 15th June ultimo,
informing this
office of the resignation of Agent Skinner, has been received.

Sir,
I have the honor to inform the
Department of Indian
Affairs that the official bond of Samuel H. Culver Esq. as Indian
agent, duly executed and approved, has been filed in this office. Mr.
Culver has been assigned to duty in the agency of the Rogue River
Valley, and a copy of the instructions furnished him for his direction
in the discharge of the duties of his office is herewith transmitted.

Very
respectfully Your
obedient servant
Joel Palmer
Superintendent

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 191-192.

Instructions to S. H. Culver
Sub-Agt.

Superintendency of
Indian Affairs O.T.
Milwaukie Aug. 22nd 1853

Sir
In accordance with the regulations of the Indian
Department, the following instructions are prepared for your guidance
in the discharge of your duties in the agency of the Rogue River Valley
to which you are assigned.
Your knowledge of the character and
condition of the
Indians of this coast, derived from your official experience in the
service of the Department, and your acquaintance with the laws of
Congress regulating intercourse with the Indian tribes, render
minuteness and detail in the instructions from this office superfluous.
In general, the instructions furnished
your
predecessor will regulate your course except as you may be now or
hereafter otherwise advised.
The late agent has been instructed to
turn over to
you the property of the Department in your agency upon your executing
to him the proper receipt therefor.
This office has just received reliable
intelligence
that the difficulties for some time existing between the Rogue River
Indians and the whites have assumed a formidable aspect, that several
of the settlers have been killed by the Indians and their property
stolen or destroyed, and that an extensive combination of the tribes of
the southern part of the Territory is believed to exist with a view to
cut off the whites. The citizens of Jackson County are in arms in
cooperation with a detachment of United States troops from Fort Jones
under Capt. Alden, and it is probable that a decisive blow has been
struck ere this.
A requisition for arms and ammunition
has been made
by the acting Governor of this Territory on the military authorities at
Columbia Barracks, and sixty rifles and four thousand cartridges are
now in progress of transmission to the seat of hostilities.
In this state of affairs no other than
general
instructions directing your prompt and prudent cooperation with the
military authorities for the suppression of hostilities and the early
restoration of peace can be given. Keeping in view the regulations of
the Indian Department, you will govern yourself as in your judgment the
exigencies of the occasion may demand, being careful to keep this
office duly and fully apprised of your proceedings.
In the event of the submission of the
Indians, every
exertion should be made to ferret out and bring, after fair trial, to
exemplary punishment such Indians as have perpetrated murders and other
injuries on our citizens.
The greatest care should be taken in
such
proceedings to avoid all excitement and appearance of retaliation and
revenge, and to impress on the minds of the Indians that the punishment
inflicted is an act of justice for the wrongs they have done.
The Indians should also be instructed
that in case
of injuries sustained by them from the whites the proper mode of
redress is through the Indian agent, and that in no case are they to
take the matter of redressing their injuries into their own hands. On
your part you will endeavor in all cases wherein you deem it proper, by
a prompt and fearless interference in their behalf, and by bringing the
wrongdoers among the whites, if possible, to justice, to convince the
Indians that their reliance on you for protection and redress of
injuries is well placed.
In order that you may be properly
sustained in the
discharge of your duties--that the Indians may receive proper
impressions of respect for the authority of the United States--and for
the more efficient protection of the white inhabitants, I have some
time since addressed a communication to Bvt. Brig. Genl. Hitchcock,
commanding in the Military Department on the Pacific Coast, requesting
him to place a detachment of soldiers at some proper point or points in
the Rogue River region.
In the event of the arrival of those
troops, you
will observe all due care to secure the harmonious and efficient
cooperation with the military arm of the public service, so far as
occasion may require.
It has long been reported that two white
women have
been held in bondage by these Indians since 1846. Many efforts have
heretofore been made by yourself and others to discover these captives,
if really existing, and obtain their rescue. These efforts have
resulted in no discoveries confirmatory of these reports, but the
reverse. Yet it may be well to persevere in your inquiries respecting
those captives, if such there be, or till you have the fullest
assurance of their nonexistence.
In view of the early authorization by
Congress of
treaties with the Indian tribes of this Territory, you will endeavor as
soon as the state of affairs will permit to sound the Indians of Rogue
River and Umpqua on the subject of selling their lands to the United
States, and report thereon as early as practicable to this office. You
will also furnish such data as will aid me in making an estimate of the
probable expense of the treaties necessary to secure the above named
object. In doing this you will have regard to the cost of assembling
the different tribes and bands, their subsistence while assembled, and
all contingent and incidental expenses; also, you will ascertain as far
as practicable the location and extent of each tract of land to be
treated for, the probable value they will place on those lands, the
kind of payments likely to suit them, and whether they can be prevailed
on to remove east of the Cascade Mountains.
These matters if practicable should be
reported at
an early day so as to enable me to submit an estimate to the Department
of Indian Affairs at Washington in time for the action of Congress at
its next session, as early treaties with those and other Indians of the
Territory are pressingly demanded by the general interests of the
people, and as nothing in the premises can be done unless authorized by
Congress and the proper appropriations made.
The boundaries of your agency will
hereafter be as
follows: Beginning at a point on the coast of the Pacific Ocean due
west of the highlands dividing the waters of the Umpqua and Systicum
rivers; thence easterly along the Calapooya Mountains to the summit of
the Cascade Range; thence southerly along the summit of said range to
the 42nd degree of north latitude; thence west to the summit of the
Coast Range of mountains; thence along the summit of said range to the
summit of the ridge dividing the waters of the Coquille and Coos
rivers, and thence westerly along said ridge to the ocean.
You are authorized to make a selection
of a site for
the erection of the agency building in such locality as you may judge
most conducive to the good of the service, and report thereon to this
office. In the meantime, till the erection of the agency house, you
will procure a suitable building by rent or otherwise.
Blank forms of a comparative view of the
languages
of the Indian tribes and a schedule for statistics are herewith
transmitted, which you will fill up and return to this office.

I am sir
respectfully
Your obt. servant
Joel
Palmer
Superintendent

Samuel H. Culver Esq.
Indian Agent
Southern
District
Oregon TerritoryNARA Series M2, Microcopy of
Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs, Reel 11, Instructions and
Reports 1853-1855, pages 96-99. A copy of the document can be
found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 193-196.

Superintendency
of Indian Affairs Milwaukie
O.T. Aug. 23rd 1853

Sir,
In pursuance of the intention expressed
in my letter
of the 23rd June last I will in a few days set out to explore the
country west of the Coast Range of mountains which lies between
Tillamook and Umpqua rivers with a view to find in a portion of this
region a home and asylum for the Indian tribes of the Willamette Valley.
Sub-agent Parrish, who speaks the Indian
jargon with
facility and can act as interpreter, and Mr. E. R. Geary, clerk of the
Superintendency in the capacity of draftsman to delineate a map of the
country, will accompany me. I will also take with me three white men to
perform the duty of packing and other manual service of the expedition.
The Indians of the valley seem much
interested in
this matter, and I have resolved to permit several of the chiefs and
headmen to accompany me to act as guides and perform the duties of
herdsmen.
I expect to be absent about four weeks
and will
leave Charles P. Culver Esq. in the temporary charge of the office of
the Superintendency.

Sir,
It becomes my painful duty to inform you
that the
difficulties so long existing between the white inhabitants and Indians
of Rogue River Valley have eventuated in a state of actual war. Several
persons have been murdered by the savages, among them the Hon. John B.
Hardin and Dr. Rose; the settlers have taken refuge in forts, and
business is generally suspended in that part of the Territory.
An express arrived at the capital on
Friday last
with a request from the Commissioners of Jackson County to the Actg.
Governor that a requisition be made on the Ordnance
Department at Columbia
Barracks
for arms and ammunition to be forwarded with dispatch to the scene of
hostilities. The clerk of the Superintendency proceeded immediately to
Columbia Barracks with the Acting Governor's letter and obtained sixty
rifles and four thousand cartridges, which are already well advanced
toward their destination.
When the messenger left Jacksonville a
small body of
regulars from Fort Jones had arrived and with two hundred volunteers
were under the command of Capt. Alden, 4th Infantry.
General Lane is also said to have
marched with a company of volunteers from Umpqua Valley.
There was a gathering of the Indians
some short time
since at Table Rock, and several hundred warriors are now believed to
be in that vicinity. Many of the Indians are well armed, having
obtained guns and ammunition by trading with the miners, and it may
require considerable effort to subdue them.
In view of the then existing
difficulties in the
Rogue River Valley and in apprehension of those of a more serious
nature I addressed a letter to Bvt. Brig. General Hitchcock requesting
him to station additional troops in that region, a copy of which is
herewith transmitted.

Bvt. Brig. General Hitchcock
Dear Sir
I am
constrained from a sense of
public duty to call your attention to the necessity of aiding us, as
far as the force of your disposal will permit, in the promotion of
peace between the whites and Indians in the southern part of the
Territory. In this communication I have especially in view that part of
Oregon known as the Rogue River Valley and its vicinity.
As you doubtless know, numerous bands,
mostly wild
and in many instances hostile, hover about the settlements and mining
places through all that region and give rise not only to a general
state of insecurity and alarm, but to feuds ending in bloodshed. The
last two years have furnished quite too many atrocities of that kind to
have escaped your attention and hence details are unnecessary. In many
of them there is just reason to believe that the timely presence of an
efficient Indian agent supported by a small military force would have
averted the calamities which followed. An agent near and on the ground
has not been wanting, but his efforts to maintain tranquility have
proved of little avail in the absence of immediate and continued
assistance from the military.
Without the presence of troops in the
Rogue River
Valley, it would seem of little good to keep an Indian agent there at
all, for judging from past experience the efforts of an officer of that
kind to maintain friendly intercourse with the tribes in that quarter,
unsupported by the strong arm of the military, would seem to be more
than useless; thereby comes mortification to the faithful Indian agent
when he is unsustained, repeated outrages without the means of redress
and punishment, and a general contempt by lawless whites of public
authority, regulating trade and intercourse with Indians.
Cannot this state of things be remedied?
Is it not
possible that a company or part of a company of troops can be stationed
in some part of the Rogue River Valley country to aid the Indian
Department of this Territory to maintain peace in that neighborhood and
stop the shedding of blood?
No other part of Oregon so much demands
the presence
of soldiers, and while I make this appeal to you most earnestly allow
me to hope that it may not be in vain.
The barbarities committed almost daily
in that
quarter by Indians on whites, and in return by whites on Indians,
loudly call for something to be done at once, and I lose no time in
urging you, if deemed compatible with other pressing demands upon your
Department, to send a small force and permanently station it at the
point above indicated.
I doubt not your willingness to aid to
the utmost of
the means at your command, consistent with the just wants of other
parts of your military division, and beg you therefore to let me hear
from you at an early moment, to the end that we may know what to rely
on and take other steps, if necessary, to meet the emergency.

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 204-208.

Superintendency
of Ind. Affrs.
Milwaukie O.T. Sept. 1st, 1853

Sir,
Since S. H. Culver Esq., now agent for
the Rogue
River Valley, left Port Orford there has been no one in charge of that
sub-agency, the sub-agents appointed feeling reluctant to go to that
remote and expensive part of the field on the limited salary allowed
them, and their services being pressingly needed in other quarters.
In view of the hostilities existing in
the
neighboring tribes of Rogue River Valley and the importance of
maintaining friendly feelings among the numerous tribes of our
southwestern coast, especially at this juncture of affairs, I have
appointed F. M. Smith Esq. of Port Orford special agent to take charge
of the business of said sub-agency temporarily, with the salary of a
sub-agent.

I
have the honor to be
Respectfully your obt. servt.
Joel Palmer
Superintendent Ind. Affrs.
Oregon

Sir
I am informed
by what appears to be a
reliable source that Gov. Joseph Lane while canvassing for reelection
as Delegate to Congress stated publicly both at Salem and Albany in
Oregon in May last that I was guilty of having used government money
for private purposes, and that I was a defaulter to the govt. for a
large amount &c.
Will you please to inform me whether
Gov. Lane
derived information from the Indian Office that would warrant the above
statements, if not whether there is any evidence of the truth of such a
statement in your office.

I have the honor to
remain very
Respectfully your obt. servt.
Anson Dart
Late Supt. of Indian Affairs, Oregon

The Hon. Commissioner
of Indian Affairs
Washington D.C.NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 64-65.

Superintendent Dart--A Lie Nailed.

The following correspondence will explain itself. The opponent of Gov.
Lane was Mr. Skinner, an agent of Supt. Dart, and hence the slander
against the latter-named worthy officer. Sat. Clark,
during the session of the late legislature in this state, retailed
similar slanders against Mr. Dart. Owing to their origin, however,
little or no credit was attached to them.
Mr. Dart, we learn, is about sailing for Europe.

Washington,
Sept. 5, 1853.

Sir--I am informed from what appears to be a
reliable source that Gov. Joseph Lane while canvassing for reelection
as delegate to Congress stated publicly both at Salem and Albany in
Oregon in May last that I was guilty of having used government money
for private purposes, and that I was a defaulter to the government for a
large amount &c.
Will you please to inform me whether
Gov. Lane
derived information from the Indian Office that would warrant the above
statement? If not, whether there is any evidence of the truth of such a
statement in your office?
I have the honor to
remain, very respectfully, your obt. servt.

Anson Dart
Late Supt. of Ind. Affrs. Oregon

The Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington.

----

Department of the Interior,
Office of Indian Affairs,
September 12, 1853

Sir--In reply to your letter of the 5th inst. I have
to state that I have no knowledge of the charges which you state were
made against you by Gov. Joseph Lane during his recent canvass for
election as delegate to Congress from Oregon.
I am not aware to what extent Gov. Lane obtained
information in relation to the state of your accounts with the
government before left here for Oregon. He was probably aware of the
amount of public money charged to you, for which you had not then
accounted, and also of charges which had been made against you of
misapplication of public money, and other acts of malfeasance.
Information was sought by this office as to the truth of these charges,
but that obtained, it is due to you to state, did not sustain them.
A person in your position cannot properly be called
a defaulter until his accounts have been finally settled and he fails
to pay over such balance as is found against him. Yours have not yet
been finally settled, and I am not yet able to say what will be the
result as between you and the government. The balance, however, either
way will be but a small one.
Very respectfully, your obt. servant,

Charles E. Mix,
Acting Commissioner

Anson Dart, Esq., late Supt. &c.

Watertown Chronicle, Watertown, Wisconsin, September 28, 1853, page 3

Stipulations
of a treaty of
peace made and entered into by Joseph Lane, commanding forces of Oregon
Territory, and Joe, principal chief of the Rogue River tribe of
Indians, Sam, subordinate chief, and Jim, subordinate chief, on the
part of the tribes under their jurisdiction.

Article 1st.

A treaty of peace having this day been
entered into
between the above-named parties, whereby it is agreed that all the
bands of Indians living within the following boundaries, to wit:
commencing just below the mouth of Applegate Creek on Rogue River,
thence to the highlands which divide Applegate from Althouse Creek,
thence with said highlands southeasterly to the summit of the Siskiyou
Mountains, thence easterly along said range to the Pilot Rock, thence
northeasterly following the range of mountains to Mount Pitt, thence
northerly to Rogue River, thence northwesterly to the headwaters of
Jump-off Joe, thence down this stream to a point due north from the
mouth of Applegate Creek, thence to the mouth of Applegate Creek, shall
cease hostilities, and that all the property taken by them from the
whites, in battle or otherwise, shall be given up either to Genl. Lane
or the Indian agent. The chiefs further stipulate to maintain peace and
promptly deliver up to the Indian agent for trial and punishment any
one of their people who may in any way disturb the friendly relations
this day entered into, by stealing property of any description or in
any way interfering with the persons or property of the whites, and
shall also be responsible for the amount of the property so destroyed .
. .

Article 2nd.

It is stipulated by the chiefs that all
the
different bands of Indians now residing in the territory above
described shall hereafter reside in the place to be set apart for them.

Article 3rd.

It is further stipulated that all
firearms belonging
to the Indians of the above-named bands shall be delivered to Gen.
Lane, or to the agent for a fair consideration to be paid in blankets,
clothing &c., except Joe, principal chief, seven guns for
hunting
purposes, Sam, subordinate chief, five guns, Jim, subordinate chief,
five guns.

Article 4th.

It is further stipulated that when their
right to
the above described country is purchased from the Indians by the United
States, a portion of the purchase money shall be reserved to pay for
the property of the whites destroyed by them during the war, not
exceeding fifteen thousand dollars.

Article 5th.

It is further stipulated that in case
the
above-named Indians shall hereafter make war upon the whites, they
shall forfeit all right to the annuities or money to be paid for the
right to their lands.

Article 6th.

It is further stipulated that whenever
any Indians
shall enter the territory above described for the purpose of committing
hostilities against the whites, the chiefs above named shall
immediately give information to the agent and shall render such other
assistance as may be in their power.

Article 7th.

An agent shall reside near the
above-named Indians
to enforce the above stipulations, to whom all complaints of injuries
to the Indians shall be made through their chiefs.
Signed this 8th day of September 1853.

The above stipulations of treaty were
entered into
and signed by the respective parties in my presence, and with my
approval.

Joel Palmer
Supt. Indian Affairs

NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 28, Records
of the Oregon Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Records Pertaining to
Relations with the Indians. Copies can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 279-281 and frames 460-463.Rogue River
Stipulations of a Treaty made and
entered into at
Table Rock near Rogue River in the Territory of Oregon this 10th day of
September A. D. 1853 by and between Joel Palmer, Superintendent of
Indian Affairs, and Samuel H. Culver, Indian agent, on the part of the
United States; and Jo, Aps-er-ka-har--principal chief, Sam,
To-qua-he-or and Jim Ana-chah-a-rah subordinate chiefs and others,
headmen of the bands of the Rogue River tribe of Indians, on the part
of
said tribe.

Article
1st

The Rogue
River
tribe of Indians do
hereby cede and relinquish for the considerations hereinafter specified
to the United States all their right, title, interest and claim, to
all the lands lying in that part of the Territory of Oregon, and
bounded by lines designated as follows; to wit:
Commencing at a point
one mile below the mouth of Applegate Creek on the south side of Rogue
River; running thence southerly to the highlands dividing the waters of
Applegate Creek from those of Althouse Creek, thence along said
highlands to the summit of the Siskiyou Range of mountains; thence
easterly to Pilot Rock; thence northeasterly to the summit of the
Cascade Range; thence northerly along the said Cascade Range to Pitts
Peak, continuing northerly to Rogue River; thence westerly to the
headwaters of Jump-off Joe Creek; thence down said creek to the
intersection of the same with a line due north from the place of
beginning thence to the place of beginning.

Article
2nd

It is
agreed on the
part of the United
States that the aforesaid tribe shall be allowed to occupy temporarily
that portion of the above described tract of territory bounded as
follows to wit: Commencing on the north side of Rogue River at the
mouth of Evans Creek, thence up said creek to the upper end of a small
prairie bearing in a northwesterly direction from Table Mountain or
Upper Table Rock, thence through the gap to the south side of the cliff
of
the said mountain, thence in a line to Rogue River, striking the
southern base of Lower Table Rock, thence down said river to the place
of beginning. It being understood that this described tract of land
shall be deemed and considered an Indian reserve until a suitable
selection shall be made by the direction of the President of the United
States for their permanent residence and buildings erected thereon, and
provisions made for their removal.

Article
3rd

For and in
consideration of the cession
and relinquishment contained in Article 1st the United States agree to
pay to the aforesaid tribe the sum of sixty thousand dollars, fifteen
thousand of which sum to be retained (according to the stipulations of
Article 4th of a treaty of peace made and entered into on the 8th day
of
September 1853 between Genl. Jo. Lane, commanding forces of Oregon
Territory, and Jo, principal chief, and Sam and Jim, subordinate chiefs
on
the part of the Rogue River tribe of Indians), by the Superintendent of
Indian Affairs to pay for the property of the whites destroyed by them
during the late war, the amount of property so destroyed to be
estimated by three disinterested commissioners to be appointed by the
Superintendent of Indian Affairs or otherwise as the President may
direct, five thousand dollars to be expended in the purchase of
agricultural implements, blankets, clothing and such other goods as may
be deemed by the Superintendent or agent most conducive to the comfort
and necessities of said tribe on or before the 1st day of September
1854, and for the payment of such permanent improvements as may have
been made by land claimants on the aforesaid reserve, the value of
which to be ascertained by three persons appointed by the said
Superintendent. The remaining forty thousand dollars to be paid in
sixteen equal, annual installments of two thousand five hundred dollars
each (commencing on or about the 1st day of September 1854), in
blankets, clothing, farming utensils, stock and such other articles as
may be deemed most conducive to the interests of said tribe.

Article
4th

It is
further agreed
that there shall be
erected at the expense of the United States, one dwelling house for
each of the three principal chiefs of the aforesaid tribe, the cost of
which shall not exceed five hundred dollars each, the aforesaid
building to be erected as soon after the ratification of this treaty as
possible, and when the tribe may be removed to another reserve,
buildings and other improvements shall be made on such reserve of equal
value to those which may be relinquished, and upon such removal in
addition to the before mentioned sixty thousand the United States agree
to pay the further sum of fifteen thousand dollars in five equal annual
installments commencing at the expiration of the before named
installments.

Article
5th

The said
tribe of
Indians further agree
to give safe conduct to all persons who may be authorized to pass
through their reserve, and to protect in their person and property all
agents or other persons sent by the United States to reside among them;
they further agree not to molest or interrupt any white person passing
through their reserve.

Article
6th

That the
friendship
which is now
established between the United States and the Rogue River tribe of
Indians shall not be interrupted by the misconduct of Individuals, it
is
hereby agreed that for injuries done by individuals no private revenge
or retaliation shall take place but instead thereof complaint shall be
made by the party injured to the Indian agent, and it shall be the duty
of the chiefs of the said tribe that upon complaint being made as
aforesaid to deliver up the person or persons against whom the
complaint is made, to the end that he or they may be punished agreeably
to the laws of the United States, and in like manner if any violation,
robbery or murder shall be committed on any Indian or Indians
belonging to said tribe, the person or persons so offending shall be
tried, and if found guilty shall be punished according to the laws of
the United States, and it is agreed that the chiefs of the said tribe
shall to the utmost of their power exert themselves to recover horses
or other property which has or may be stolen or taken from any citizen
or citizens of the United States by any individuals of said tribe and
the property so recovered shall be forthwith delivered to the Indian
agent or other person authorized to receive the same that it may be
restored to the proper owner, and the United States hereby guarantee to
any Indian or Indians of said tribe a full indemnification for any
horses or other property which may be stolen from them by any citizen
of the United States, provided that the property stolen or taken cannot
be recovered and that sufficient proof is produced that it was actually
stolen or taken by a citizen of the United States, and the chiefs and
headmen of the said tribe engage on the requisition or demand of the
President of the United States, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, or
Indian agent, to deliver up any white person or persons resident among
them.

Article
7th

This
treaty shall
take effect and be
obligatory on the contracting parties as soon as the same shall have
been ratified by the President of the United States by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate.
In testimony whereof
the said Joel
Palmer and Samuel H. Culver on the part of the United States, and the
chiefs and headmen of the Rogue River Indians aforesaid have hereunto
set their hands and seals the day and year aforesaid.Signed
in the presence of

NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 28, Records
of the Oregon Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Records Pertaining to
Relations with the Indians. A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 464-470. This treaty was amended on April
12, 1854.

Answers to Remarks on Special
Account for August & Sept. 1851

Voucher 3rd is undoubtedly an error in calculating.
Voucher 9th. This bill of particulars is at the Superintendent's office
in Oregon. I purchased these groceries myself; they consisted of sugar,
molasses, tea, coffee & tobacco, all of which were consumed by
the
Indians while engaged in treaty at Tansy Point. No part of this bill
was for liquor.
Voucher No. 10. This bill of particulars
is also
at the Supt.'s office in Oregon. It consists mostly of the hire of
Indians to carry him (Parrish) from place to place at & near
the
mouth of the Columbia River & their expenses while so doing, to
which is added his steamboat fare.
Voucher 11 is undercharged.
Voucher 15. The same remarks applies to
this as to Voucher 10.
Voucher 18. The same remarks applies to
this as are made to Voucher 9.
Voucher 19 is for interpreters. There was no two tribes of Indians
treated with at Port Orford that spoke the same language. This bill was
paid by Mr. Hubbard, the purser of the steamer Sea Gull that
conveyed us to Port Orford & back.

Very respectfully
Yours, Anson Dart
Late
Supt. Ind. Affairs Oregon

Hon Commissioner of Ind. Affairs
Washington D.C.NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 66-67. Undated, but
received in Washington September 16, 1853.

We, the undersigned, appointed &
sworn by Joel
Palmer, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, to appraise the property of
claim holders on Table Rock Indian Reserve for Rogue River Indians, do
affix the value as follows.

John J. Cook's claim

1056

rails laid up at $8 per 100

$84.48

694

rails hauled out at $7.50 per 100

52.05

1650

rails in woods at $6.00 per 100

99.00

3

acres prairie broke at $12.00

36.00

house & corral

40.00

$311.53

William
Hutchinson's claim

1000

rails laid up at $8 per 100

$80.00

750

rails hauled out at $7.50 per 100

56.25

1250

rails in woods at $6.00 per 100

75.00

2000

rails
in timber at $3.00 per 100

60.00

one set house logs

40.00

$311.25

David Kennedy's
claim

house & corral

150.00

Robt. B.
Metcalfe's claim

house & boards

200.00

Daniel Hayward's
"claim"

house

50.00

James Lesley's
"claim"

one set house logs

40.00

$1062.78

Sept.
13, 1853
In presence
T. T. Tierney
J. D. Mason

John
B. WrisleyEd
PhillipsJohn
E. Ross
Commissioners

We, the undersigned, certify that the
annexed list covers the whole amount of property now on the Indian
reserve for the Rogue River Indians. The total amount being one
thousand & sixty-two 78/100 dollars.
In presence
T. T. Tierney
J. D. Mason

John
B. WrisleyEd
PhillipsJohn
E. Ross

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 276-278. A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 730-732.

Superintendency
of Indian Affairs
Milwaukie Sept. 13, 1853.

Sir,
I have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st August
last directing the attention of this office to the 19th paragraph of
Revised Regulations No. 3.
Gen. Palmer is now absent in the
southern part of
the Territory for the purpose of aiding in quieting the Indians and
effecting, if possible, a treaty of peace with them.

Cow
Creek band of UmpquasStipulations of a treaty
made and entered into on Cow Creek, Umpqua Valley, in the Territory of
Oregon, this 19th day of September, A.D. 1853, by and between Joel
Palmer, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on the part of the United
States, and Quin-ti-oo-san, or Bighead, principal chief, and
My-u-e-letta, or Jackson, and Tom, son of Quin-ti-oo-san, subordinate
chiefs, on the part of the Cow Creek band of Umpqua tribe of Indians.

Article 1st

The Cow Creek band of Indians do hereby
cede and
relinquish, for the consideration hereinafter specified, to the United
States, all their right, title, interest and claim to all the lands
lying in that part of the Territory of Oregon bounded by lines
designated as follows, to wit: Commencing on the north bank of
the
south fork of Umpqua River, at the termination of the highlands
dividing the waters of Myrtle Creek from those of Days Creek, thence
running easterly along the summit of said range to the headwaters of
Days Creek, thence southerly, crossing the Umpqua River to the
headwaters of Cow Creek, thence to the dividing ridge between Cow Creek
and Grave Creek, thence southwesterly along the said divide to its
junction with the ridge dividing the waters of Cow Creek from those of
Rogue River, thence westerly and northerly around on said ridge to its
connection with the spur terminating opposite the mouth of Myrtle
Creek, thence along said spur to a point on the same northwest of the
eastern line of Isaac Bailey's land claim, thence southeast to Umpqua
River, thence up said river to place of beginning.

Article 2nd

It is agreed on the part of the United
States that
the aforesaid tribe shall be allowed to occupy temporarily that portion
of the above-described tract of territory bounded as follows, to wit:
Commencing on the south side of Cow Creek, at the mouth of Council
Creek, opposite Wm. H. Riddle's land claim, thence up said creek to the
summit of Cañon Mountain, thence westerly along said summit
two
miles, thence northerly to Cow Creek, at a point on the same one mile
above the falls, thence down said creek to place of beginning. It being
understood that this last described tract of land shall be deemed and
considered an Indian reserve until a suitable selection shall be made
by the direction of the President of the United States for their
permanent residence and buildings erected thereon and other
improvements made of equal value of those upon the above reserve at the
time of removal.

Article 3rd

For and in consideration of the cession
and
relinquishment contained in Article 1st, the United States agree to pay
to the aforesaid band of Indians the sum of twelve thousand dollars, in
manner to wit: one thousand dollars to be expended in the purchase of
twenty blankets, eighteen pairs pants, eighteen pairs shoes, eighteen
hickory shirts, eighteen hats or caps, three coats, three vests, three
pairs socks, three neck handkerchiefs, forty cotton flags, one hundred
and twenty yards prints, one hundred yards domestic, one gross buttons,
two lbs. thread, ten papers needles, and such other goods and
provisions as may be deemed by the Superintendent or agent most
conducive to the comfort and necessities of said Indians, on or before
the first day of October, A.D. 1854. The remaining eleven thousand
dollars to be paid in twenty equal annual installments of five hundred
and fifty dollars each, commencing on or about the 1st day of October
1854, in blankets, clothing, provisions, stock, farming implements or
such other articles, and in such manner as the President of the United
States may deem best for the interests of said tribe.

Article 4th

In addition to the aforesaid twelve
thousand dollars
there shall be erected for the use of said tribe, at the expense of the
United States, two dwelling houses, the cost of which shall not exceed
two hundred dollars each, and a field of five acres fenced and plowed,
and suitable seed furnished for planting the same.

Article 5th

The said band of Indians agree to give
safe conduct
to all persons passing through their reserve, and to protect in their
person and property all agents or other persons sent by authority of
the United States to reside among them.

Article 6th

That the friendship which is now
established between
the United States and the Cow Creek band of Indians shall not be
interrupted by the misconduct of individuals, it is hereby agreed that
for injuries done no private revenge or retaliation shall take place,
but instead thereof complaint shall be made by the party injured to the
Indian agent, and it shall be the duty of the chiefs of said band of
Indians, upon complaint being made as aforesaid, to deliver up the
person against whom the complaint is made, to the end that he may be
punished agreeably to the laws of the United States; and in like manner
if any violation, robbery or murder shall be committed on any Indian
belonging to said band, the person so offending shall be tried, and if
found guilty, shall be punished according to the laws of the United
States. And it is further agreed that the chiefs shall, to the utmost
of their ability, exert themselves to recover horses or other property
which has or may hereafter be stolen from any citizen of the U.S. by
any individual of said tribe and deliver the same to the agent or other
person authorized to receive it. And the U.S. hereby guarantee to any
Indian or Indians of said band a full indemnification for any horses or
other property which may be stolen or taken from them by any citizen of
the U.S. provided the property stolen cannot be recovered, and that
sufficient proof is produced that it was actually stolen or taken by a
citizen of the U.S. And the chiefs further agree that upon the
requisition of the President of the U.S., Superintendent of Indian
affairs or Indian agent, to deliver up any person resident among them.

Article 7th

[It is agreed between the United States
and the Cow
Creek band of the Umpqua tribe of Indians, that, should it at any time
hereafter be considered by the United States as a proper policy to
establish farms among and for the benefit of said Indians, it shall be
discretionary with the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, to change the annuities herein provided for, or any part
thereof, into a fund for that purpose.
Article 8.]
This treaty shall take effect and be
obligatory on
the contracting parties as soon as the same shall be ratified by the
President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate.
In testimony whereof the said Joel
Palmer,
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on the part of the United States, and
chiefs of the Cow Creek band of Umpqua Indians, before named, on the
part of the same band have hereunto set their hands and seals the day
and year aforesaid.
Signed in presence of

NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 28, Records
of the Oregon Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Records Pertaining to
Relations with the Indians. A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 469-474.

Department
of the
Interior
Office Indian Affairs
September
20 1853.

Sir:
Your letter of the 12th July last, enclosing one from C. M. Walker,
respecting the pay of himself and party for services rendered on Rogue
River in 1851, has been received.
In reply, I have to state that
the only paper discovered of file in this office having reference to
the claim of Mr. Walker is a letter from himself to H. H. Spalding,
Esqr., late agent &c. of Sept. 22 1851, in which he gives a
list of
the cost of supporting himself and party in the Rogue River country
from the 15th July to the 10th Sept. 1851. He states in this letter,
"The papers &c. connected with this business are in my
possession,
which I will take down when I hear from you."
Congress having,
by an act approved 3rd March last, made provision "for the payment of
the accounts of Gov. Jno. P. Gaines and Courtney M. Walker, for
expenses incurred by them in quelling the difficulties with the Rogue
River Indians of Oregon, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-one,"
it will be necessary that Mr. Walker shall furnish this office with the
accounts and vouchers NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 13; Letters
Received, 1853, No. 63.

Winchester
Sept. 21st 1853

William
Martin Esqr.
You are hereby appointed a special agent
for the
Indian tribes residing upon the waters of the Umpqua and Coos rivers
and around Coos Bay. Your salary will be that of a sub-agent and
commence from date.
Instructions for your guidance will be
given you from time to time.
A bond conditioned for the faithful
performance of
your duties will be forwarded, which you will have executed and
returned to the office of Superintendent of Indian Affairs immediately.

I
am sir
Respectfully yours
Joel Palmer
Supt.
Indn. Affairs O.T.

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 247-.

Instructions
to Spl. Agt. Martin

Winchester
Sept.
21st 1853

Dear
sir
As you have been appointed a special agent for
the Indian
tribes residing in the country drained by the Umpqua and Coos rivers, I
desire that you will meet the various bands and tribes at as early a
day as practicable, ascertain as far as you can their condition,
numbers and feelings towards the whites, the extent of country to which
they lay claim to, as also their means of subsistence and whether any
portion of them have adopted the manners and customs of the whites,
particularly the cultivation of the soil, or whether they are inclined
to do so. Learn also whether they are disposed to sell to the United
States the country claimed by them and remove to such parts as may be
designated for a permanent home. You can inform them should they agree
to do so that they will be aided and protected by the government in all
their rights.
This information, and such other as you
may deem of
importance to the better knowledge of the condition and wants of this
unfortunate people who are so rapidly passing away, you will gather and
report to this office at the earliest moment practicable.
I desire that you will visit the Indians
on Coos
River and around Coos Bay immediately and endeavor to peaceably incline
them, and if necessary to preserve peace make them a few presents.
A treaty has been concluded with the Cow
Creek band
of Umpqua Indians by which that band have ceded to the United States
all the land claimed by them, and a part of the purchase money is to be
expended in the erection this winter of two log cabins, the cost of
which is not to exceed two hundred dollars each.
The cabins should be built in a cheap
manner, and
about twenty-five feet square on the ground, to be erected on a small
piece of bottom land opposite W. R. Riddle's upon the temporary reserve
to which they have been assigned. A few articles of clothing are to be
sent them, which will be forwarded to you for distribution among them
as per agreement. As soon as you return from Coos Bay you will visit
those Indians and cause the cabins to be erected, the expense of which
will be paid so soon as funds are remitted.
Additional instructions will be given
you from time to time.

I
have the honor to
be
Dear sir respectfully yours
Joel
Palmer
Supt. Ind. Affairs O.T.

To
Wm. J. Martin Esq.
Special
Ind. Agt.
Winchester O.T.NARA Series M2, Microcopy of
Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs, Reel 11, Instructions and
Reports 1853-1855, pages 100-101. A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 244-246.

Fort
Lane O.T.
Sept. 29, 1853.

Dear
Sir,
In the hurry of departure you omitted to leave with me an abstract of
articles delivered (as presents) to the Indians by yourself, or I have
misplaced it, which is quite probable. If you will have a copy made
& sent to me you will oblige, also a copy of the treaty for the
purchase of their land & Gen. Lane's treaty of peace.
Gen. Lane will give you the reasons for
purchasing some presents for Tipcue's ["Tipsy's"] band in
addition to those obtained heretofore.
It will require two pieces of prints,
eight pieces
domestic & another box of tobacco (same size) to go around.
It would be well to hold in reserve two or three hundred dollars, in
money, of the amount to be paid to the Indians this winter to pay
damage in case of thefts by them. This will be necessary to preserve
peace. There has been one instance of the kind already, of course
others will occur.
I think that it will be very necessary
to buy
two or three tons of flour to be distributed to the Indians this
winter. They must necessarily suffer without it & hunger may
drive
them to rob when otherwise they would not.

Secretary
of the Interior
Sir
On the
8th Sept. 1853 a treaty of
peace was concluded between Gen. Joseph Lane and the Rogue River
Indians wherein it was stipulated among other things that whenever the
government of the U.S. should purchase the lands from the Indians that
a sum not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars should be deducted from
the purchase money to pay for depredations committed by them during the
late war.
On the 10th of Sept. 1853 Gen. J.
Palmer, Supt. of
Indian Affairs for Oregon, concluded a treaty for the purchase of their
lands, the board of commissioners of military affairs consisting of
Doct. Edward Sheil, Rich. Dugan, Geo. Dart and L. A. Davis at the
suggestion of Gen. Lane appointed three appraisers to ascertain the
amount of property destroyed and which was to be paid for under the
provisions of the two treaties above mentioned. The appraisers, Col.
John E. Ross, Doct. George H. Ambrose and W. W. Fowler, were sworn on
the 15th day of September 1853 and at once entered on the discharge of
their duty. They made a personal inspection of all the premises and
took testimony and ascertained the value of the property destroyed to
be thirty-seven thousand four hundred and twelve dollars and
ninety-eight cents ($37,412.98).

Secretary
George Dart, Edward Sheil President

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 312-314.

Port
Orford O.T. Oct. 1st 1853

Dr.
Sir

I accept of the office you have tendered me and shall immediately enter
upon the duties thereof. Mr. Culver took with him all the papers
belonging to the office, so that I am wholly without guide or precedent
in the performance of the requirements of the office. Will you please
instruct me fully by return mail--also please forward me all the papers
belonging to the sub-agency, such as duplicate returns &c.
&c.
A few days since I had occasion to visit
one of the tribes located near the mouth of Rogue River. My talk with
them was productive of much good. They are desirous of peace and
expressed a determination to deal with "good heart" toward all
"Americans." If our people will but do the same, our difficulties with
the Indians would soon cease. There is more necessity for a military
force here to restrain the white man than to subdue the Indians.. I
hope to hear from you soon.

Your
obt. servant
F. M. Smith

NARA Series M2, Microcopy of
Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter
Books C:10.

Port
Orford O.T.
Oct. 4th 1853

Dr.
Sir
I accept of the appointment you have tendered me and shall immediately
enter upon the duties thereof. Mr. Culver took with him all the papers
belonging to the office, so that I am wholly without guide or
precedence in the performance of the requirements of the office. Will
you please instruct me fully by return mail, also please forward me all
the papers belonging to this sub-agency, such as duplicate returns
&c. &c.
A few days since I had occasion to visit
one of
the tribes located near the mouth of Rogue River. My talk with them was
productive of much good. They are desirous of peace and expressed a
determination to deal with "good heart" toward the "Americans." If our
people will but do the same our difficulties with the Indians would
soon cease. There is more necessity for a military force here to
restrain the white man than to subdue the Indian. I hope to hear from
you soon.

P.
Clayton Esqr.
Sir
Your
favor of 12 August last came to hand a few days ago. It surprises
me that the accounts have not been handed to the proper department. And
it now places me at a loss to know how to act. I shall herein give you
the amount & will also enclose to the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs all the papers relating to that expedition. That this will be
of any useful avail is also with me a doubt. Since the payment of these
debts has been made a subject of special legislation, having had the
refusal of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to liquidate, I will get
ex-Gov. Gaines to write you at this time.
In the account I send I have given what
is due each
individual, although much of it has been paid by me. And should you
remit a draft or drafts to any person to settle these several accounts
I can then draw from them, or if the whole amount is sent to me for
distribution I can then adjust them myself.
Hoping that this may meet your earliest
convenient attention

I remain
Sir
Your obt.
humble svt.
C. M. Walker

An account of expenses incurred by Capt.
C. M.
Walker in quelling difficulties of the Indians on Rogue River in the
year 1851.

#

For supplies of Joel Perkins

$442.50

For supplies of Mr. Williamson

199.75

For supplies of Mr. Geiger

56.25

For supplies of D. D. Bayley

38.75

For Mathew Hall's services

218.75

#

For James P. Day's services

249.00

For James Jackson's services

103.00

For F. West's services

86.00

For T. Bayley's services

68.62

For John McGee's services

120.00

Z

For Vanriper's services

39.00

Z

For J. Miller's services

39.00

Z

For J. Johnson's services

39.00

For D. D. Bayley's services

60.00

For C. M. Walker's services

330.10

2089.72

By C. M. Walker

N.B. Those a/c marked # have been in part paid by me. Those marked Z
have been entirely paid by me.NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 327-331.

Fort
Lane, Jackson
Co. O.T.
Oct. 6, 1853.

Sir
I have this moment completed the census
of the Rogue
River tribe of Indians, those that inhabited the country embraced in
the late purchase.
I have not had sufficient time to be as
particular
about it as I would desire, but it is not far from correct.

To
the Hon.
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
at
Washington City D.C.
Sir
Accompanying this I send you all the
papers and documents relating to my course on Rogue River in the year
1851. I do this that the amount due myself & party may be
forwarded us, as is provided by an act of Congress of last session. As
the 2nd auditor of [the] Treasury Dept. says to me, he cannot forward
the amount until accounts are presented.

I
remain
Sir
Your obt. svt.
C. M.
Walker

P.S.
I have asked the Hon. Mr.
Benton and the Hon. J.
R. Underwood to introduce my name to you as a petitioner for
the appointment of Indian agent at Puget's Sound in Washington
Territory. I am aware Mr. Garrison has been placed at that station, but
I know that my experience & knowledge of Indian character and
language besides other qualifications are superior to those of Mr. G.
or in fact any other agent in the Territory, having been a resident in
this Territory since the year 1834 and my business being almost
entirely with the Indians & commanding from them the highest
respect. I refer you to Col. Benton, Mr. Underwood & Genl.
Joseph Lane for a knowledge of my competency & character
& hope you will give my petition your kind consideration.

Respectfully
Your obt. svt.
C. M. Walker

Dayton
O.T.
8 Oct. 1853

Genl.
Joel Palmer
Dr. Genl.
Per last
mail I received a letter from P. Clayton Esq., 2nd auditor at Treasury
Department at Washington City, in reply to a letter of mine addressed
to Mr. Guthrie, Secy. of Treasury at Washington, asking for a
remittance of the amount due me from the government, to which Mr.
Clayton replies--that no account of mine has been recd. at the office
is the reason why the money has not been forwarded, and as soon as the
account is forwarded he will immediately remit the amount. I have again
written him & said you would write to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs enclosing the papers & accounts I hold against
the government.
I have left with this a letter to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which will you do me the kindness to
envelope with the papers &c. I left with you. And perhaps
'twould be as well to send this letter or a copy to show the authority
of your acting in these premises. I am compelled to be absent from here
today & perhaps all next week & cannot see
you again in time to speak to you upon the subject, as I
desire the letters shall leave the ensuing mail.
Particularly inasmuch as I have written
letters that I desire to arrive simultaneously with the one &
the papers from you.
Hoping this may meet your prompt
attention

I
remain
Dr. General
Very respectfully yours
C. M.
Walker

Dayton
O.T.
10 Oct. 1853

To
the Hon.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Sir
I addressed a
letter to you a few days since which you will perhaps receive by the
same mail you will receive this.
I enclose the transaction of myself on
Rogue River, being the only evidence remaining with me as evidence of
my right to pay as provided by act of Congress at its last session. I
have requested the Superintendent of Indian Affairs (Genl. Palmer) to
write you upon the subject as an identity of my person &c.,
which I
hope will be done.

I
am very respectfully
Your obt. servant
C. M. Walker

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 285-291.

Office of Superintendent of Ind. Affairs
Dayton Oct. 8th, 1853

Sir,
I have the honor herewith to transmit to
the President of the United States, through the Indian Department, the
original treaty
for the purchase and extinguishment of Indian title to the lands
claimed by the Rogue River tribe of Indians entered into on the 10th
day of Sept. 1853 by Joel Palmer, Superintendent of Indian Affairs
& Samuel H. Culver, Indian Agt., on the part of the United
States and Jo, Sam and
Jim, principal
chiefs, on the part of said tribe, and also a treaty of purchase and
relinquishment of title to the lands claimed by the Cow Creek band of
the Umpqua tribe of Indians entered into on the 19th day of Sept. 1853
by Joel Palmer, Supt. Ind. Affrs., on the part of the United States and
Quin-ti-oo-saw, head chief, Mi-u-e-let-ta and Tom, son of the principal
chief on the part of said band.
It is deemed important to
state in the transmission of these treaties that the
Superintendent and agent have been governed by what they believed to be
imperatively demanded in order to restore and preserve peace. The Rogue
River tribe of Indians are among the most powerful tribes on this
coast, and have been held in great dread by travelers by passing
through their country, and as they occupy a country traversed by the
trail and road from the settlements in Oregon to California, frequent
murders and robberies have been committed by them and the surrounding
tribes, rendering it necessary till within the last two years for
travelers to assemble in large companies when passing through the
country claimed by them.
Upon the discovery of gold in California
and more recently in Southern Oregon, great numbers of our citizens have
entered their country for the purpose of mining and recently as
permanent settlers. This has led to frequent controversies
between the settlers and natives in which the lives of many of both
parties have been sacrificed.
In 1851 a state of actual war between
the whites and Indians existed, and after several skirmishes and battles
a treaty of peace was effected by Gen. Lane, and for a short time peace
was maintained.
But as our citizens were then crowding into the
region, excited by the hope of immediate gain in the pursuit of gold,
but little respect was paid to the rights of the Indians. Hence
misunderstandings, jealousies, criminations and recriminations followed
in rapid succession, until all hope of an amicable adjustment was
dissipated and a resort to arms followed as the only means of
redressing grievances.
On the 21st of August, I received information that a
state of war existed, and as soon as possible with Agent S. H. Culver I
repaired to the scene of difficulties. We reached Camp Alden near Table
Rock on the 4th of Sept. Gen. Lane, with Major Alden and the troops
under their command, had already had a severe engagement with the
hostile Indians, in which several on both sides were slain. An
armistice for a short time had been agreed on, connected with
propositions for a permanent peace, and the time and place designated
for the assembling of the chiefs and headmen of the tribe for that
purpose. The 4th day of Sept., the day of our arrival at Camp Alden,
was the day agreed on for the council. The chiefs with a portion of
their warriors were assembled and ready to treat, but preferred to
delay till all the tribe should be present and asked till the 8th to
collect their people, which was granted them.
On the 8th Sept. Gen. Lane with Capt. Smith's
company of dragoons, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs and Agent
Culver repaired to the council ground, where we met the chiefs and
headmen of the tribe. The terms of a treaty of peace which had been
proposed by General Lane on the field of battle on the 24 & 25 of
August were fully agreed on, and on the following day signed by the
respective parties, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. It is
proper however here to state that before signing this it was fully
understood that a treaty of purchase for the extinguishment of their
title to the lands claimed by them should immediately follow the treaty
of peace. And in accordance with this understanding we met in council
on the 10th day of Sept. and agreed on the terms of purchase.
It was doubted whether according to an act approved
Febry. 27th 1851 providing "that such officers and agents in the Indian
Department as the President of the United States may designate shall
hereafter hold treaties with the Indian tribes," we were warranted in
assuming that power, as no person now engaged in the Indian Department
in this Territory has been designated in accordance with this act. But
the necessity of some immediate and permanent arrangement by which the
citizens as well as the Indians could hope to be secured in the
possession of life and property, demanded if not warranted by any
existing statute, according to the great law of humanity, in consonance
with which our government has ever professed to act in her intercourse
with the Indians, an assumption of power somewhere to effect such an
arrangement. It was believed that a treaty of peace, without
extinguishing the Indian title to the country, would fail to restore
and preserve it, as treaties of a similar nature had formerly been
entered into with this tribe without any permanent good effect. Nothing
short of the purchase of their entire country, and the assigning to
them of a certain district for their temporary residence until a
permanent home shall be provided for them in common with other tribes,
could secure the desirable object. There is no doubt that the failure
heretofore on the part of the agents of the government & others
assuming to hold treaties with these Indians and other tribes to comply
with the stipulations of such treaties has and will do much to destroy
the confidence of the Indians in the faith of the government, and has
exercised a powerful influence in causing the late difficulties. It is
therefore of the utmost importance in order to restore that confidence
and good faith by which alone we can hope to maintain friendly
relations with the Indian tribes that these treaties be ratified and
provisions made for carrying them into immediate effect.
The lands purchased of the Rogue River tribe
according to the best information obtained includes about three
thousand five hundred square miles--one third of which is well adapted
to agricultural purposes and susceptible of a high degree of
cultivation, and much of the remainder may be regarded as a pastoral
country, but mountainous, abounding in numerous fertile valleys, heavy
forests of valuable timber and nearly all rich in gold--being
emphatically a gold region. There is little doubt that in some of the
gulches near Jacksonville an amount of gold may be taken from 10 rods
square sufficient to pay for the entire purchase. The consideration as
you will observe for the entire purchase is $75,000, in the event of
their removal from their present temporary reserve.
$15,000 of this sum is deducted to indemnify
settlers & others for property destroyed by the Indians during the
war and $1062.58 to pay claimants on the reserve for their
improvements, a bill of appraisement being herewith transmitted,
leaving $58,937.22 to be applied according to treaty stipulations for
their use. I have not been able to ascertain accurately the number of
persons comprising this tribe, but believe it to be about six hundred
souls.
In addition to the above amt. granted by the treaty
to the Indians, it is stipulated to build three cabins for the three
principal chiefs, which will cost about $300 each. Goods were also
purchased as presents amounting to $1,189.75/100, a portion of which
have been distributed according to agreement.
Should this treaty be ratified by the President and
Senate of the United States and observed by the whites, I have good
reason to believe that it will be closely adhered to on the part of the
Indians.
It may not be improper here to state that the
Indians throughout this Superintendency so far as known are fully
advised of the failure on the part of the government to fulfill the
stipulations of treaties entered into by the commissioners and my
predecessor in office, and as they are unable to comprehend the reasons
for such noncompliance, they place but little confidence in the
promises of the agents of the government.
The temporary reserve secured to the Rogue River
Indians in the treaty embraces about 100 square miles, ten or twelve
only of which being suitable for cultivation, and the remainder rough
and mountainous. The lands around Table Rock upon the reserve abounds
in the variety of roots used by these Indians for food, and the
mountains are well stocked with wild game, while Rogue River on the
west [sic] yields an abundance
of salmon and other varieties of excellent fish. The reserve embraces
the principal villages of the tribe, and has been occupied by them
since their earliest existence as a tribe. The ease with which the
greatest abundance of food can be obtained renders it a most desirable
location for a people who depend so exclusively on spontaneous
productions of nature for subsistence.
With great reluctance they consented to remove from
this choice spot, but by explaining to them the great difficulty of
maintaining peace between two people whose manners and customs, desires
and feelings, are so dissimilar, residing in such intimate
neighborhoods, and on being informed that if they desired it they would
be furnished, as the treaty provided, with farming utensils such as
teams, plows &c. and taught the use of them, and that they should
be protected in all their rights from the encroachment of the whites
and the invasion of other tribes of Indians, they finally consented,
but the head chief expressed a hope that he might be allowed to occupy
his old home the remaining days of his life, or till a spot should be
found affording equal facilities for the subsistence of his people.
The treaty for the purchase of the country claimed
by the Cow Creek band of the Umpqua Indians seemed to be demanded both
as a matter of safety to this band and also as security for their good
conduct. This band is [in] no ways formidable, consisting only of
eighteen warriors, nineteen women and fifteen children. Nor are they
warlike or unusually troublesome. But being in the vicinity of the
Grave Creek band, who have ever been regarded as the inveterate foes of
the whites, thefts, robberies and murders committed on travelers and
recently on settlers in the vicinity of the Cow Creeks led many to
believe them implicated in these acts, and this feeling was
strengthened by the fact that their usual place of residence is along
the road leading from the Willamette Valley to Rogue River and
California, the principal scene of these atrocities.
The occurrences among the Rogue River Indians and
Grave Creeks had so exasperated the whites that reckless persons
traveling on this road often committed acts of violence against the Cow
Creeks, robbing them of their guns & blankets and whipping them,
and in one instance attacking the lodge of an aged Indian who bore an
excellent character, whom they killed together with a squaw, at the
same time firing several shots at a small boy who made good his retreat
to the mountain.
Driven from their homes and continually exposed to
similar acts of violence, as they were confounded with the guilty, they
were justly much alarmed. In this agitated state of feeling between
whites and Indians, the most effectual means of securing the safety of
this band and maintaining peace appeared to be to purchase their
country and set aside a small district for their temporary residence, a
little out of the line of travel and near enough the settlements to
secure them from marauding parties infesting that region.
They justly complained that the whites had driven
them from their homes and deprived them of their usual means of
subsistence, and said if anything was to be paid them as a remuneration
for their losses it should be now when they were in need, that in a few
years they would all be dead, then the price of their country could
profit them nothing.
A treaty of purchase was accordingly agreed on, the
tract to which the Indian title was extinguished containing about eight
hundred square miles, nearly one half being an excellent farming
country and the other portion mountainous, but of good soil, and well
timbered. Gold is generally diffused, and at a few points mining has
been successfully carried on.
The price of purchase is $12,000, the building of
two cabins costing each about $200, and the fencing and plowing of a
field of five acres, and the furnishing of proper seeds--all costing
about $225.
No presents were made, but clothing and blankets
were to be furnished immediately, the cost of purchase to be on account
of first payment for their lands.
It is proper to state that all articles purchased
for the Rogue River Indians and Cow Creek band are to be delivered on
or near their respective reserves, the cost of transportation to be
paid by the United States. This though not embodied in the treaties was
fully understood by the parties.

Honorable George W. Manypenny
Commissioner of Indian
Affairs Washington
City, D.C.NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 447-455.

Annual Report of
Superintendent 1853.

Superintendency
of
Indian Affairs
Dayton O.T. Oct. 8th 1853

Sir,
In transmitting my annual report at so
late a period it is proper that reasons for the delay be given,
especially n view of the positive instructions from the Department at
Washington requiring strict compliance with the 19th paragraph of
Revised Regulations No. 3.
This circular, however, as you were
informed by Mr. Geary, Acting Superintendent during my absence to
assist in quelling the disturbances between our citizens and the
Indians of the Rogue River country, did not reach this office till the
12th ultimo.
Although aware of the importance of
submitting my report at an early day, little towards its preparation
was accomplished prior to my departure to the scene of Indian war in
the south, as I desired to receive the reports of agents and sub and
special agents before its compilation. I also desired to visit the
coast region between Tillamook and Umpqua River, as was suggested in my
letters of June 23rd and August 23rd in order to enable me to speak
definitely of the propriety of colonizing the valley Indians in that
district.
On the eve of starting upon that tour I
was arrested in my purpose by intelligence of the Indian depredations
and imminent peril of our citizens in the southern part of the
Territory. I at once abandoned the expedition and proceeded to the
scene of difficulties, leaving Mr. Geary to perform the duties of
Acting Superintendent during my absence. But unfortunately in a few
days after my departure Mr. Geary was prostrated by sickness and wholly
disabled from the performance of duty.
I was detained until the 25th September,
and on my return, after spending a week in ineffectual efforts to
procure a loan of funds whereby to meet the current expenses of the
office, and the liabilities incurred in holding treaties with the
Indians, I was subpoenaed to attend the court then in session in Oregon
City as a witness in a suit there pending against Anson Dart Esqr.,
late Supt. Indian Affairs, where I was detained till the evening of the
7th instant.
I very much regret this delay as I fear
it will tend much to the embarrassment of the Indian Department in
Oregon for the ensuing year, and I deeply regret the circumstances
rendering necessary this long apologetic introduction to my report. I
hope the reasons above detailed will prove sufficient to exonerate me
from blame in the premises.
Peace at present exists with all the
Indian tribes in this Superintendency, but as heretofore intimated a
general feeling of anxiety and distrust pervades the tribes and bands
from the seaboard to the Rocky Mountains.
This feeling is more owing to the
conduct of
evil-minded whites towards them than to any desire on their part to
annoy or injure the whites. The non-ratification of treaties has done
much also to destroy their confidence in the good intentions of the
government, and I may say, without exposing my opinion as to the
provisions of these treaties, will tend much to embarrass the action of
agents of the government, who may hereafter be designated to interpret
treaty stipulations.
This want of confidence in the
declarations of the officers of government is not confined to the few
tribes with whom treaties have been negotiated; it extends through the
entire country, nor is it presumed that even the ratification of those
treaties at so late a day would relieve the general distrust.
The importance of entering, at an early
period, into treaties to extinguish the Indian title to the lands
belonging to the tribes residing along the Columbia River and the north
Oregon Road, or so much of said country as is within the
Territory of Oregon, has been repeatedly presented to the attention of
the Department. My convictions of the propriety and necessity of this
course are daily deepened, and I am satisfied that unless early steps
be taken to effect such treaties, serious difficulties, if not a
general Indian war with those tribes, will be the consequence.
It is also important that measures to
extinguish the Indian title to the country bordering on the Southering
Road, extending from the Sierra Nevada to the summit of the
Cascade Range of mountains, and as far north and south as to give
security to our population constantly coming upon the
western shores of this continent should be speedily taken.
If it becomes the settled policy of the
government to colonize the tribes residing on the west side of the
Cascade Mountains on the east side of that range, the necessity of
early explorations and early treaties for extensive tracts of Indian
country is apparent.
The vast district between the Southern
Oregon Road and the Columbia River and between the Humboldt and Cascade
Range is but little known, but is believed to contain many valuable
tracts of agricultural country, of sufficient extent to incite
settlers, and the rapid spread of our settlements renders it more than
probable that a brief period will exhibit those fertile tracts seats of
a thriving population and of the arts of civilized and enlightened
communities. Experience moreover has taught us that the settlement of a
country prior to the extinguishment of the native title to the soil is
in most cases attended with serious difficulties and embarrassments to
the government, with annoyance and danger to the settlers, and prove
fatal to the best interests--the improvement and civilization of the
natives.
In connection with the subject of
exploring the country and colonizing the tribes, I would add that
information desired from a party in search of gold, who traveled the
mountainous region in the neighborhood of Pitt's Peak
and the country between Rogue River and Middle Oregon between the 43
and 44 degrees of N.L. induce me to believe that quite extensive
valleys, fertile and well suited to the Indian population of the
southern part of our Territory, exist in that region. This statement is
partially confirmed by the Rogue River chiefs, who state that persons
of their tribes visited some of those valleys many years ago. It is
probable, however, that the valleys they refer to are east of the
summit of the mountains.
This evidence of the existence of such
valleys, and of their suitableness to be made the future and permanent
home of the tribes of Southern Oregon, would warrant their exploration,
as well as those of the interiors of Middle Oregon above indicated. A
full and complete examination of these portions of Oregon, besides
enabling the government, with a fuller knowledge of the facts, to fix
its permanent policy in regard to the savage tribes of Oregon, will
doubtlessly tend greatly to bring to light the vast and diversified
resources of our Territory.
A different policy in regard to holding
treaties with the Indians of this territory, from that heretofore
pursued, seems called for, not only as a matter of economy, but on
account of the influence exerted on the Indians themselves.
The gathering of different bands and
tribes from remote neighborhoods in mass, to be paraded, petted and
feasted at the public expense, has a decidedly demoralizing influence
upon the Indians, as it inclines them to indolence and extravagance,
gives them an importance in their own esteem to which they are by no
means entitled, and impresses them with the belief that our government
has a reckless disregard of expenditure. At such places many congregate
of a class interested in a large expenditure on the occasion, and for
the purpose of present or ulterior gain, exert an improper influence
over the minds of the Indians, disinclining them to treat, or inciting
them to demand modes of payment suiting the sharper but at variance
with their own real interest.
In treating with the Indians the season
of the year has its influence. At some season their wants are so easily
and abundantly supplied that no proposition for purchasing their lands
or for their removal, however extravagant, would receive their
favorable regard. At other seasons their wants are so numerous and
pressing that they yield a ready ear, and comply with such terms as may
be dictated.
This applies only to the tribes of the
Lower Columbia and of the Willamette and Umpqua valleys.
I would only avail myself
of their necessities the more effectually to promote their general
welfare, thus conforming to that humane policy which marks the history
of our government towards the Indians. They must be united,
instructed in the arts of civilization, and brought under the influence
of wise and wholesome laws, in order to be perpetuated, otherwise they
will
speedily perish on the graves of their fathers. In order to make them
the recipients of these benefits, the period of their most pliant mood
must be seized upon, and all engagements made with them promptly
carried into effect.
As to the better mode of treating,
nothing I apprehend could be more ridiculous and absurd than pomp and
display in treating with the miserable bands and remnants of tribes in
the region last referred to. The most simple and economical approach on
our part becomes their condition, and will alone secure the prompt
completion of contracts with families, bands and tribes so feeble and
so numerous. Let their usual places of residence be visited when
practicable, let them be collected at places as
contiguous to their
homes
and when they are so isolated and scattered as to render this
impracticable, let them be collected at places as contiguous to their
homes as possible, and there treated with, not with a view of indulging
their savage whims and fancies, but with an eye to their real and
permanent good, and if possible their duration in the scale of humanity.
Much credit is due General Lane for the
explicit and
fair dealing which has always characterized his intercourse with the
Indians. He has always scrupulously avoided making promises to them
beyond what he was sure of being able to perform. His statements are
consequently regarded with confidence by the Indians.
The beneficial influence of this
statement among the
Indians was manifest in the late treaty with the Rogue River tribe, the
chiefs the more readily acceding to terms which they regarded as having
his approbation and sanction.
The practice now so general of making
presents to
Indians has I believe rather an injurious tendency than otherwise, as
it has created the impression extensively among the Indians that the
government is bound to continue the practice as long as they remain
among us, and while thus supplied they are less inclined to treat for
the sale of their lands and submit to removal. It also tends to foster
indolent habits, as they are not inclined to industry and economy while
their wants can be otherwise supplied.
Presents in some instances appear
necessary and
proper to conciliate the good will of the Indian, reward the good
conduct or incline him to peace, but the practice has evidently been
much abused, and is at last of little utility.
In the selection of a district of
country for the
colonization of the various bands and tribes of Indians who inhabit the
country contiguous to the coast, attention is required to their mode of
subsistence. They may properly be termed fish eaters, and
to assign them a country destitute of this to them indispensable
article of food would be disastrous to their existence as a people.
The country between the Tillamook and
Umpqua has
already been suggested as among the most desirable locations for the
settlement of the Indians of the Willamette and Lower Columbia.
Those of the Umpqua may be added, but it
is somewhat
doubtful whether the country is sufficiently extensive for the
settlement of the Coast Indians inhabiting the country south of the
Umpqua. The designation of an additional tract may consequently be
necessary for the settlement of the Coast Indians, and two or more
tracts east of the Cascade Mountains for the tribes inhabiting the
interiors.
I regard it as highly important for the
successful
maintenance of friendly relations with the Indians that in addition to
the agencies of Rogue River and Utilla, there be an agency established
for the tribes east of the Cascade Mountains to include the Klamaths,
Diggers and Shoshones, that portion of the Snakes residing within this
Territory, and the Bannocks residing along Lewis Fork of the Columbia
and Boise River. And until the extinction of the Indian title to the
country and the removal of the Indians, it is important that in
addition to the sub-agencies of the Willamette Valley, Clatsop Plains
and Port Orford, another sub-agency be established including the Umpqua
Valley and the country bordering on the Coos and Coquille rivers, now
in the care of Special Agent W. J. Martin.
The subject of additional compensation
to agents and
sub-agents is respectfully submitted. That of sub-agents is barely the
pay of a common laborer, and is insufficient to secure the services of
competent and reliable men.
A detailed account of the numbers and
condition of
the Indians of the sub-agency at Port Orford is given in the report of
Sub-Agent S. H. Culver, a copy of which is herewith transmitted.
By the judicious and untiring attention
of Mr.
Culver, supported by the military stationed at Port Orford, the Indians
of that district, though numerous and warlike, have been kept quiet.
The recent discovery of gold in that
region has
induced a large number of persons to congregate in the vicinity of Port
Orford, which from the number and character of the Indians dwelling
thus is more than likely, without the most unremitting vigilance and
care, to result in difficulty and bloodshed.
Many of the adventurers in the mining
region are of
the most reckless and desperate character, and affected with such
feelings of hostility to the Indians that military coercion alone seems
adequate [sic]
to the preservation of peace.
My knowledge of the character and
condition of those
Indians, as well as the character of the country they inhabit, is so
limited that I am unable to recommend any measure of policy to be
pursued in regard to them. It is evident however that delay in
assigning them an abode within fixed limits, remote from the mining
districts, where they can be protected from encroachment and violence,
must tend to their speedy extinction. Treaties therefore at an early
day for the extinction of title to their lands, and provisions for
their colonization in a suitable country, are of the utmost importance.
My letter of the first September
informing you that
F. M. Smith Esq. of Port Orford in the absence of a sub-agent, P. F.
Thompson Esq., being on duty at the Utilla Agency, was appointed
special agent for the tribes of the Port Orford district. No
information as to his acceptance or refusal has yet been received. Mr.
Smith is recommended as well qualified for the duties of the station,
and I hope the appointment may meet your approbation.
On my return from Rogue River to this
place I
received information rendering it necessary to dispatch an agent
immediately to visit the Indians residing along the waters of Coos
River and Bay, situated some fifteen or twenty miles south of Umpqua
River. The necessity for the constant presence of an agent among the
tribes in the Rogue River country renders it imprudent to call away
Agent Culver from his post, though Coos Bay is attached to his
district. I therefore deputed William J. Martin Esq. of Winchester as a
special agent to visit the Indians of Coos Bay, and on the waters of
Umpqua River. I transmit a copy herewith of his appointment and
instructions.
While on my late expedition I came to
the knowledge
of the existence of a tribe of Indians inhabiting the country on the
upper waters of the north and south forks of the Umpqua and the
headwaters of Rogue River, called the wild Mo-lal-la-las. The
name so nearly resembles that of the Mo-la-las,
of
the Willamette, that they have hitherto been confounded with that
tribe, but the information I have obtained satisfies me that they are a
distinct tribe, speaking an entirely different language, and having no
connection whatever with them.
They have had but little intercourse
with the
whites, being located in a remote and mountainous region, off the line
of travel from Oregon to California. They roam sometimes as far east
and southeast as the headwaters of Deschutes and the Klamath Lake.
Their subsistence is chiefly wild game, with which their country
abounds, while numerous mountain streams and lakes afford a rich supply
of fish.
Some of these lakes are said to be
twenty miles in
length, with considerable margins of fertile, level land, and
surrounded with precipitous mountains. This information, though chiefly
derived from Indians, is so corroborated that I put much confidence in
its correctness.
The several bands inhabiting the coast
between
Tillamook and the Umpqua River have never been visited by an
agent
of the government. It was indeed represented that but few Indians dwelt
there. I have however conversed with several of a party who explored
one of the streams emptying into the ocean on that coast during the
summer who found a village at the base of the mountains about six miles
from the ocean, sustaining about two hundred souls. In the comfort of
their lodges and their abundant supply of provisions they were much in
advance of the tribes generally along the coast. They were poorly
clothed, had no firearms, and were of a lighter complexion than the
Indians usually are.
They subsist on wild game, fish, mussels
and clams,
and have but little intercourse with the whites. The greater part of
the tribe fled on the approach of the exploring party.
No detailed report of the condition of
the Indians
in the Utilla Agency has been received. A copy of a letter from
Sub-Agent P. F. Thompson accompanying this report will give you some
idea of the petty annoyances to which the agent is subjected from that
proud and haughty tribe.
No report has been received at this
office from the
agency at Puget Sound. My letter of the 22nd of August informed you of
the designation of J. M. Garrison Esqr. to that agency. Agent Sterling
was accordingly informed of the fact by letter from this office and
directed to turn over to Mr. Garrison the papers and property belonging
to the agency upon his executing to him the proper receipt therefor.
This Mr. Sterling declined doing, on the ground that he was not subject
to the control of this Superintendency, and was acting under
instructions of Governor Stephens of Washington Territory. Soon after,
Mr. Garrison returned to this Territory, and on the 10th instant
notified this office that he had resigned his office of Indian agent to
take effect immediately.
No report has been received from
Sub-Agent W. W.
Raymond Esqr. of Clatsop Plains, nor from J. L. Parrish Esqr. of the
Willamette Valley, but we believe the tribes and bands of those
districts are at peace among themselves and sustain friendly relations
to the whites.
It may not be improper to state that
several letters
from various sources, interrogating me in regard to funds alleged to be
due them for past services in the Indian Department, including salary,
traveling expenses &c., have been received, the amount of which
claims I have no means of ascertaining, as no regular bills have been
presented. Among the number is Agent H. H. Spalding claiming
one-quarter salary yet due him, E. A. Sterling for salary and traveling
and incidental expenses, J. L. Parrish traveling expenses and
interpreter's salary and A. A. Skinner Esqr. for traveling expenses and
salary of interpreter.

The salary of
Superintendent and agents, sub and special agents, interpreters and all
traveling and contingent expenses since I entered on the duties
assigned me are unpaid, no public funds having been placed in my hands
by which to discharge such liabilities.

I would only add that for the expenses
attending my
recent trip to Rogue River and the treaties with the Rogue River and
Cow Creek tribes, together with all expenses for the transportation of
goods promised them, and the expenses incident to the duties of
Superintendent, I am now paying at the rate of five percent per month
interest.

The following estimate of expenses in
this
Department for the year commencing July 1st 1854 is respectfully
submitted.

Pay
of Superintendent, three agents and four sub-agents

$10,000.00

Pay
of interpreters (ten)

$
5,000.00

Clerk
hire, office rent of Superintendent, fuel and stationery for
Superintendent, and house rent for agents and sub-agents

$
4,200.00

Traveling
expenses
for Superintendent, agents and sub-agents, including explorations of
country and in addition to those connected with holding treaties

$10,000.00

For
payment of annuities to Rogue River and Cow Creek Indians and other
grants as stipulated in treaties

$
7,000.00

Expenses
of
holding treaties, the purchase of teams to transport goods and
provisions for presents and just payment of annuities, provided
treaties be ratified

$60,000.00

In the above
estimates I have contemplated the appointment of one additional agent
for this territory and an additional sub-agent as being indispensable
to the maintenance of peace and the early extinguishment of the Indian
title to the country. It also contemplates the employment of one
interpreter to each agent and two for the Superintendent and two for
the agent stationed east of the Cascade Mountains.
The pay of sub-agents and interpreters
is estimated
as fixed by law, but should the compensation for these officers be
increased, as in justice it should be, an additional amount will be
required.
The amount of traveling expenses is
intended to
cover the cost of the purchase of animals and the necessary fixtures
for exploring the country with a view to the selection of permanent
homes for the Indian tribes, the pay of employees to accompany the
officers of government in such explorations and the ordinary traveling
expenses incident to such service.
The amount for the payment of annuities
contemplates
the ratification of the treaties of purchase recently entered into with
the Rogue River and Cow Creek Indians, that amount being necessary to
carry its provisions into effect, and will be needed previous to the
1st Sept. 1854.
In the estimate for holding treaties is
included a
sum believed to be sufficient to pay the expenses of holding treaties
for the extinguishment of Indian title to all the land west of the
Cascade Range, and their assent to remove to such points as may be
selected for them, provided a selection be made west of said mountains;
it also includes an amount sufficient for presents and a first payment
on account of purchase, provided the treaties be ratified, for which
purpose twelve or fifteen thousand dollars may be applied; it also
contemplates the purchase of teams and animals for the transportation
of Indian goods to such points as may be necessary, as well as treating
with such of the tribes east of the Cascade Mountains as may be deemed
necessary for the preservation of peace, and to give security to our
citizens passing from the eastern to the western boundaries of this
Territory, and open the way for a continuous chain of settlements upon
the routes usually traveled by our citizens.
The estimates given above are believed
to be the
lowest possible adequate to accomplish the objects intended in the most
economical manner. In the exploration of the interior a small military
escort will be essential to the safety of the party, or the
appropriation of an additional sum sufficient for the employment of a
suitable number of persons for protection.
I would respectfully suggest to the
Department the
propriety and importance of placing at the disposal of the
Superintendent in this Territory in addition to the above estimates a
sum of not less than ten thousand dollars, designed as a contingent
fund to meet sudden emergencies like that in the Rogue River country,
which might occur. Also the sum of one thousand dollars be placed at
the disposal of each agent, and one half that sum in the hands of each
sub-agent as a contingent fund for similar purposes. This amount, on
hand to meet emergencies, might when judiciously expended be the means
of preventing a protracted and bloody Indian war and the expenditure of
hundreds of thousands of dollars in military operations.

The system which requires agents of the
government
to expend their private funds in meeting the current expenses incident
to the duties of their office upon this coast, and await the auditing
of their accounts at Washington City previous to payment, subjects them
to great inconvenience and materially lessens their influence as
agents. Some arrangement by which those employed in the public service
may receive their salaries at the end of each quarter together with
current expenses provided for by law seems called for, not only as a
matter of justice to agents, but as a means of ensuring energy of
action and efficiency in the service. What may have been the practice
heretofore in this department I have no means of ascertaining, but as
agents are still claiming salary due them since the quarter ending
September 30th 1852, and others traveling expenses for two years past,
great delay in the auditing and settling of accounts is evidenced. As
further evidence of this, H. H.
Spalding Esqr. claims one quarter's salary yet due
him as Indian agent in 1851.
In order that the department may
understand the data
on which is based my estimate of expenses of treating with the Indians
in Oregon generally, I herewith transmit a table of the estimated
expenses of treating with the several tribes east and west of the
Cascade Mountains, so far as such treaties may be deemed necessary.

NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 7; Letter
Books F:10, pages 1-9. Original letter on NARA Series
M2, Microcopy of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs, Reel 11, Instructions and
Reports 1853-1855, pages 102-117. Additional copies can be
found
on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 252-268 and frames 422-445.

Fort
Lane O.T. Oct. 12,
1853

Sir,
On the night of the 7th two Inds. shot a
man by the
name of Kyle, who was a partner of Wills, one of the persons shot at
the commencement of the late war.
It occurred near Willow Springs at about
10 o'clock at night.
The two Inds. belong on the Klamath,
though they
have spent much of the last year with those in this valley. One of them
is related by marriage to Tyee Jo & they both have many friends
among the young Indians here. And it was a severe test of the Inds.
desire for peace to be compelled [to] deliver them up. But they did so
yesterday morning. They are now in the guard house, where they will be
kept until the next term of the dist. court.
I think peace now more firmly settled
than ever.

Dear
Sir,
The first of this month I acknowledged
the receipt
of my appointment to the office of sub-agent of Indian affairs at this
place. I beg to inform you that I am without law or semblance of law
appertaining to the duties of my office. My attention never having been
directed to Indian matters, I am to a great extent ignorant of the
service required of me, and know but little of the powers invested in
me. I hope therefore to receive from you, as soon as possible, full and
complete instructions, that I may attend to the duties of the trust
reposed in me to your satisfaction and to the satisfaction of the
general government. Mr. Culver, on leaving here, took with him all the
papers belonging to the office, such as vouchers of money expended,
duplicates of quarterly reports &c. &c., thus leaving
me to act
upon my own judgment without the aid of instruction or even precedent.
I would respectfully return you my thanks for the appointment, and beg
to assure you that I shall attend to the duties of the office to the
best of my ability.

Mr.
Joel Palmer
Supt. of Indian Affairs O.T.
Sir, on
my arrival at Coos Bay I
proceeded to ascertain the disposition of the Coos Indians. I found
them entirely friendly with the whites. I could talk but little with
them on account of none of them being able to speak the jargon. The
Coos Bay Company deserves much credit for the good judgment that they
have shown in their proceedings with those Indians never promising them
anything which they have not performed.
The Coos Indians are all enjoying fine
health. They
are stout, robust men. I was not able to ascertain their number on
account of not being able to talk with them as I would like to have
done. I made them no presents, as I thought it was not necessary until
such a time as I would be able to talk with them. I have found an
Umpqua Indian which speaks the Coos and jargon well. All that is wanted
is some goods, shirts, blankets and a few pieces of calico. They are
anxious to sell their lands and make a small reserve to live on. They
live entirely by fishing, don't wish to move at present. They claim all
of the country commencing at Ten Mile Creek ten miles north of the
mouth of the Umpqua down the coast to near the Coceal [sic]
River, then back to the summit of the Coast Range of mountains, which
will include all of the Coos Bay country. The country is mostly level
and covered with spruce, pine and white cedar and contains an immense
quantity of fine stone coal. The Coos country in my opinion will make
one of the largest and richest countries in Oregon. The soil is as rich
as any land in the Territory.
The bay is a beautiful sheet of water
running back
into the country some twenty-five miles completely landlocked, as I
could not learn the depth of the water in the bar at the mouth of the
river.
I would propose buying the land of the
Coos Indians
as soon as possible, for the sooner the better for both whites and
Indians, as it will be no doubt save both trouble and expense. There is
no doubt but all of our Indian difficulties in this country have their
origin in behalf of the Indian believing that the whites intends taking
their lands from them without paying them for it, but when they find
that not to be the case they at once have the most implicit confidence
in the white people. After their lands are bought all that is needed is
to never deceive them in the first instance, for if they ever lose
confidence in the whites it is a very hard matter to get them to
replace the same confidence again. I have just let out the building of
those two houses for the Cow Creek Indians to J. B. Nichols for the sum
of three hundred and fifty dollars.
On my way back from Coos I saw the Lower
Umpqua
Indians, those at the mouth of the Umpqua River, and some at the great
fishing near Scottsburg. They are all willing to sell their lands to
the United States and make a small reserve. They claim to be Umpquas
and always have been willing for the whites to have all of their land
except a small piece covering their fishery. The Indian here in the
valley says that the Indian below the old H.B. fort is a different
people from them, but I have no doubt but they are all the same people.
Those here in the valley say they do not want to sell their land but
wants the white to have it to take and settle on all of it as they have
no use for the land and only wish to live among the whites. I told them
that the President did not want to cultus
iscum ["take
for nothing"] their
land but wanted to pay them for it, which pleased them very much. All
the Umpqua Indians live by fishing and digging roots.
I have not been able to find out their
number, as
they are scattered all over the country in small bands. From all I
could gather from both whites and Indians I will set the Coos Indians
down 200, the Lower Umpquas from the H.B. fort down 200, and from the
fort up on the waters of the Umpqua 150, supposing them to be in all
this amount 550. It would be well to have some presents to give to all
of those people. They are anxious to have some goods as the winter is
now approaching and take these as part pay for their lands. It will be
no trouble to call all of them together at about three or four places.
I may perhaps come down to see you about
some goods
for the Indians. In the meantime I will leave Mr. Magruder, my
interpreter, here to figure out all the Indians in this valley and
their numbers. I find it quite a job to get things straightened and in
proper shape. I feel confident of being able to accomplish much with
those Indians after I shall get them to understand what I want.

Yours
with due
respect
Wm. L. Martin
Special
Ind. Agent

Gen.
Joel Palmer
Supt. Ind. Affrs.
O.T.NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 13; Letters
Received, 1853, No. 61. A copy can be found on NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 272-275.

Port
Orford O.T. Oct. 14th
1853

Sir,
Enclosed is
bill of purchase for my
office, being articles actually necessary. I have ventured the
conviction that government will not repudiate such purchases. Am I
right in my conclusions? When I shall receive full and complete
instruction of the duties of my office and the power invested in me by
virtue of the office, I shall then be able to conform to the strict
letter of the law. Until then I shall act only upon mature reflection
and with great caution.
I hope to hear from you by return mail.

THE office of the Superintendent
of Indian Affairs will be temporarily removed to Dayton, Yamhill
County, to which place correspondents will direct their communications
until further notice is given.

JOEL PALMER, Supt. Ind. Affairs
Milwaukee, Sept. 28, 1853.

Oregon Statesman, Salem, October 18, 1853, page 2

Office
of Supt. Ind. Affairs
Dayton October 28th 1853

Sir
Enclosed are letters from C. M. Walker
Esqr. and a memorandum book and journal kept by said Walker, who claims
that the amounts contained in said memorandum are due him and others
mentioned therein severally. The memorandum book is the only evidence
in this office giving any information on the subject, and it is
transmitted with accompanying papers.
I am satisfied that his claim is a just
one, as well as those of others named in the accompanying abstract of
accounts.

Sir:
I have to acknowledge the receipt of
three letters
from you: one dated Sept. 1st last, enclosing a list of the persons
employed within your Superintendency, one dated same day, requesting a
few copies of the laws and regulations of this bureau to supply your
Superintendency, and the other dated Septr. 13th stating that in view
of the hostilities existing among the Indian tribes of the Rogue River
Valley, you had appointed F. M. Smith Esqr. special agent for that
valley, temporarily, with the salary of a sub-agent.
In accordance with your request I
herewith transmit
to you four copies of the laws and regulations of this bureau.
In view of the circumstances mentioned
in your
letter of the 13th Sept., your appointment of Mr. Smith as special
agent for the Rogue River Valley is approved, but it is expected that
his employment in that capacity will be discontinued as soon as the
relations of the Indian tribes in that vicinity will allow his services
to be dispensed with.

Dear
Sir
I reached my home and post of duty on
the 3rd inst.
Soon after my return news was brought me by a gentleman residing near
the mouth of Rogue River of the manifestation of hostility on the part
of the Cis-ti-cos-ta Indians. Benj. Wright and party of four men were
up at the "big bend" of Rogue River a few days since, making
exploration for coarse gold. They were there met by the Cis-ti-cos-tas
and ordered to immediately leave their country.
Wright endeavored to convince them that
they were
there only for peaceful purposes and wished to meet with their people
as friends, but no overtures of peace or good will would be received.
Wright was told by the chief that he would not allow white men to live
or even pass through his country--that his people were strong, had good
arms, and were willing to fight. Wright and party left with all
possible speed, so apprehensive were they of an attack at that time. I
am impressed with the belief that there exists an actual necessity of
this post's being strongly garrisoned immediately. I am told that there
are now at "Table Rock," "Fort Lane" three companies of troops under
command of Capt. Smith. I hope you will deem it advisable to urge upon
Gen. Hitchcock the necessity of removing to the "big bend" of Rogue
River a portion of the troop now stationed at "Table Rock." The
necessity of this appears to me to be imperative, particularly if this
post is to remain in its present feeble state. At present I am
powerless to do good. There are but seven men in the garrison of Fort
Orford, a force totally insufficient for any purpose incident to my
duties as sub-Indian agent. We are daily receiving accession to our
population, and many of those arriving are of the most reckless
character, having no regard for law, order or life. I need the
protecting arm of a military force to prevent outrages being committed
upon the Indians by lawless whites. I propose to visit the
Cis-ti-cos-tas immediately and shall do all in my power to establish
friendly relations with the tribe. On my return I will at once acquaint
you with the result of my efforts.

Sir,
In view of the enormous charges made for
transporting freight I would suggest that the Superintendent be allowed
to purchase and retain in the service teams and pack animals with the
necessary fixtures for transporting goods and supplies to those parts
of the Superintendency for which they are intended. I would also
recommend that the Superintendent be allowed to purchase for the
service three or four horses or mules and each agent and sub-agent be
allowed to purchase or be furnished by the Superintendent with two or
three each as circumstances may require to be used as saddle animals in
traveling.
As a matter of economy, these arrangements seem
necessary in order to avoid the extravagant charges of public
conveyance. At most points the cost of forage for animals while not in
actual service may be avoided and also frequently while in service, as
the country abounds in nutritious grasses. When the service requires
dispatch and in traversing the settled portions of the country forage
of course will be requisite.
The same is required for hired animals since the
price of hire would in most cases more than meet the expense of forage,
nor is it presumable that the animals would depreciate materially in
value.
The sub-agent at Tansy Point should be allowed a
rowboat, as most points he will be required to visit can only be
reached in that way.

Sir,
I respectfully request instructions on the following points connected with the duties of my office.
Am I warranted to pay the salaries of agents and
sub-agents in any case in advance, or the salaries of their respective
interpreters, before the salary account is passed on and approved in
your office?
Is the payment of house and office rent of agent and
sub-agents provided for by the regulations of the Department? If so, is
it proper to pay said accounts before they are passed on and approved
as above stated, and are the traveling and incidental expenses of
agents and sub-agents only to be paid after the accounts are approved
in your office and ordered to be paid?
In an emergency requiring the employment of persons
on special service, is the Superintendent authorized to pay for such
service and the expenses incident thereto before the accounts of said
persons are approved in your office and their payment ordered?
I would also ask instructions in reference to the
mode of purchasing goods designed as presents to the Indians.
Is it expected that the Superintendent should make
all purchases for this purpose in this Superintendency, and when so
purchased and turned over to agents should a bill of purchase and a
duplicate receipt of said agent be forwarded to the Department at
Washington?

I have lately learned that a treaty and purchase has been made with the
Indians on Rogue River, Oregon T. I have an account against those
Indians. I think mine was the first that was legally proven up against
those Indians. I will state some of the particulars and desire to call
your attention to it--on the last day of August 1849 I was robbed by
Indians on Rogue River 3 miles above the point of rock on the road of
money and property the amount of 24 hundred dollars. It was principally
gold, a little silver and two horses. I went directly to Governor Lane,
at that time the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, [to] complain to him
and agreeable to his direction proved my account before Judge Bryant
and was told by him and Gov. Lane that when the government made a
treaty with those Indians I would get my money.
I grew tired waiting [for] the treaty
and believing I was entitled to my money by the provisions of the 17th
section of the act
of Congress of the 30th June 1834 and accordingly I
wrote to Judge Skinner, but he screwed and twisted for a year. When I
asked Dr. Dart to call on him to do his duty in the matter he, Dart,
equivocated nearly another year and at last he wrote that [the] case
had been neglected and he would send my account to Washington to our
delegate in Congress. I wrote him not to do it and then I wrote to the
President politely asking him to dismiss them both. To this I got an
answer from Mr. Lea Secretary of the Interior. [Luke Lea was Commissioner of
Indian Affairs.]
Sir, you will please inform me whether
my account is of that class that is paid out of the first annuity and
in fact you will oblige me very much by inform[ing] me all about my
claim on those Indians. It would suit me remarkably well to learn that
my money was ready for me.

NARA
Series M234 Letters Received by
the Office of Indian Affairs 1824-81, Reel 609 Oregon Superintendency, 1856..

Office Superintendent of Indian Affairs Dayton O.T. Nov. 12th 1853

Sir
Frequent applications have been made to the
Superintendent of Indian Affairs by citizens of this Territory for
information as to the mode of procedure to enable them to recover for
losses sustained by Indian depredations, and as I am so frequently
importuned upon this subject, and the amounts involved in many
instances being large, I would ask instructions to enable me to give
the required information.
These applications are likely to become quite
numerous, and if a policy be adopted encouraging the presentation of
all claims for injury or loss of property to act retrospectively with a
view of being deducted from the amount allowed the Indians for their
country, it is believed that in many cases the entire amount of the
value of their possessions would be thus absorbed, as claims would
doubtlessly be raked up, real or factitious, commencing as early as
1843. It is very likely there are instances in which the persons
designated to negotiate treaties with the Indian tribes in Oregon would
be warranted in pressing claims against them, but if the relinquishment
of Indian title to their lands, and their consent to remove to such
points as may be selected for them, rests upon the contingency of their
agreement to allow such claims to be deducted from the price of
purchase, it will inevitably be a serious obstacle to the
accomplishment of that object.

Sir
Since mine to you of Oct. 6th there has
been good
feeling between the whites and Indians with whom the treaty was made in
Sept. last. But I regret to say that some other bands have displayed a
disposition that looks far from encouraging to lovers of peace.
I fear that there are some bad men
belonging to
Tipcue's band who are disposed to pilfer and do other mischief.
The Indians on Illinois Creek display
the same
disposition, in fact the last named band are & have been since
June
last at war with the whites.
I went to this creek on the
17th Oct. with an
escort consisting of two companies dragoons furnished me by Capt. Smith
in hopes of reaching a treaty of peace with them, but was not able to
hold any communication with them. Lt. Radford took 16 horses and one
ox, all of which the Indians had stolen within the six weeks previous.
I am now trying (through Tyee Jo) to get
them to
come in and have a talk. If I can get them to meet me I have no doubt
but I can make a peace with them, which I am in hopes to be able to do
in a short time.
I start in the morning to try to recover
stolen property from Tipcue's band.
I am suffering great inconvenience for
want of funds
to defray the expenses of the Agency. I have been compelled to be
constantly moving from one point to another to settle difficulties
between Indians and whites, sometimes matters serious, at others
trifling. But it is at this time necessary that I should see to the
settlement of all differences, as one rash step or hasty act might
involve the whole community in another war.
That traveling is expensive in this part
of Oregon
is sufficiently within your knowledge; your experience is quite ample.
A lack of the necessary funds to defray
the expenses
of the Agency might be productive of the most serious consequences, and
that perhaps which could not be repaired at any cost.
Permit me to hope then that my present
embarrassment will be relieved soon.

Fight between United States troops and Indians.--A
government express arrived at Fort Jones on the 20th ultimo direct from
Fort Lane, in Rogue River Valley, bearing the intelligence that a
company of United States dragoons had a very severe engagement with a
party of Indians on Deer Creek, some twenty-five miles from Fort Lane.
It seems that the Indians on the trail between Jacksonville and
Crescent City have for some weeks past been very troublesome, having
killed one man and robbed numerous trains. For the purpose of
chastising the depredators and freeing the road from further annoyance,
Captain Smith, commander at Fort Lane, sent out Lieutenant Radford with
a company of thirty dragoons, who met and attacked the Indians on Deer
Creek, and after quite a hard fight forced them to scatter into the
mountains. The Indians had ten warriors killed and a greater number
wounded. Lieutenant Radford had a sergeant and one private killed, and
three privates wounded. The Indians, in their fight, abandoned all of
their horses, ammunition, food and, indeed, all else of their worldly
possessions.Washington Sentinel, Washington, D.C., December 22, 1853, page 1

Winchester
Nov.
27th 1853
Genl. Joel Palmer

Supt. of Indn. Affrs.
Sir, Mr. Hubbard reached this place last
night,
having left the wagon on Pass Creek at the sawmill and brought the
goods on pack mules, having engaged to pay for the use of the animals
at $1.50 per day and the men $3.00 per day. I have concluded to send
the goods on to Rogue River by the same man at the rates agreed on by
Mr. Hubbard. It is as cheap as it can be hired here.
The amount to be paid as soon as the
money is
received from Washington City. Mr. Hubbard will take the man's receipt
for the team, which he will take to you, and as soon as possible I will
have the team brought to this place. Mr. Barnes will go with Ben and
the goods to Fort Lane on Rogue River, believing it not safe to trust
Ben with strangers, knowing that Mr. Barnes will see Ben safe to the
fort.
Mr. Hubbard and Bell [sic]
don't wish to go any farther and I think it would be of no use for them
to go on as it would but make more expense as it is already costing a
great deal to get the goods out.to Cow Creek and Rogue River.
I have assumed the responsibility of
sending the
goods on as as I think I have no want for further instruction than
knowing it is absolutely necessary for the articles to go on and
feeling certain it would be right. I have received the goods as per
Bill [sic]
for the Cow Creek Indians.
And all for Mr. Culver's agency on Rogue
River and
will send them forward in the morning. As soon as I return from Cow
Creek I will send you the abstract of articles delivered to the Cow
Creek Indians and all other information that I may have and likewise
the cost of forwarding of the goods to Fort Lane as nearly as possible

To the Hon.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington City D.C.
Sir
I recd. from the Genl. Palmer, Superintendent of
Indian Affairs of this Territory, a letter containing a copy of a
letter from you, speaking of the mode by which I am to proceed in order
to obtain my pay from the government for services rendered on Rogue
River in 1851.
You say proper vouchers should be forwarded to your
office to authorize the sending of the money to me. I am at a loss to
ascertain how I am to proceed in this matter unless a filing of my
account alone is sufficient.
All the papers &c. connected with that
expedition have been delivered to Mr. Palmer with the exception of what
I herein enclose to you. I hope you may find them sufficient to justify
you in forwarding the amount due me. As for the members of my party
& other claimants, I do not know where they are; they all, however,
except Perkins and James P. Day, have certificates from me, which upon
presentation will I hope be sufficient to enable them to draw their
money upon.
Should you be in any doubt about myself being the
proper person I refer you to the Hon. Joseph Lane, our Delegate to
Congress, for information & particulars.

I remain Hon. sir Your obt. Hon. servant C. M. Walker

P. S. If necessary I authorize the Hon. Joseph [Lane] to recpt. to you for the amount you send me (should you send the money).

Courtney M. Walker

NARA Series M234, Letters
Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 608 Oregon
Superintendency 1853-1855, frames 744-746. Palmer had sent copies of Walker's accounts to Washington; they can be found here under date of January 26, 1854.

Winchester
O.T.
3rd Decr. 1853

Sir
It will be probably satisfactory to you
to hear that
the Indians to whom I distributed the goods sent by you were very well
satisfied with them, and that the other Indians present at the
distribution also expressed themselves anxious to sell their land as
soon as it might be desired. I feel convinced that the whole of the
Indians of this district are disposed to part with their land on such
terms as may be dictated.
I omitted in my report to mention that
during my
stay at Coos I was informed on good Indian authority that during the
war in Rogue River, Joe, the chief there, sent runners to the coast
Indians as far north as to the Siuslaw requesting them to join him in
hostilities against the whites, and the speedy termination of the war
alone prevented their joining them. I mention this to show the extent
of the influence of the Rogue River chiefs.
I enclose a bill of expenses I have
incurred by
traveling &c. and submit the same for your approbation. I shall
have the pleasure of being at your house about Christmas when I attend
the Legislature.
Nothing of importance has transpired
otherwise. The
Indians remain peaceful and likely to be so. We have never had or
anticipated any disturbance in this vicinity.

Dear
Sir
Yours of Nov. 4th enclosing bill of
articles sent to this agency per Mr. Hubbard was received on the 29th
Nov. Also another of the same date informing me that you had appointed
Mr. Martin special agent for Umpqua &c. Also one of Nov. 4
enclosing copies of the several treaties made with Indians in this part
of the Territory during the last summer, and also another containing a
copy of a circular regulating the manner of paying annuities.
The goods spoken of as sent by Mr.
Hubbard arrived while I was about at Illinois Creek. They are in fair
condition. The boy (Indian) Ben reached here safely and I think it has
been productive of the best results, for if his people did not know the
strength of the whites before, they of course know it now and from one
of their own number.
I have already issued part of the
blankets. They are
a thing most needed by the Indians at this time, in fact they are
suffering from want of them. They have not now the same opportunities
of getting clothing as formerly, because they are not permitted to
mingle with the whites, as formerly many of them worked for whites and
obtained clothing in return. Some of the Indians do not reside on the
reserve this winter. As the war prevented them from laying up food for
winter, they are compelled to get it along from day to day. This they
cannot do so well in a comparatively strange country. Of course it
would be folly to think of making them stay on it to starve. But for
them to go there in the spring and have the whole season to lay up
food, they can live on the reserve and have an abundance of food for
the winter season. But they all hold themselves ready to go on the
reserve at any time I may direct. If I see any danger of trouble they
must all go upon it, but it would be necessary to furnish them some
provision. They show the best possible disposition & I think
that
with prudent management there is no chance of another war.
The two Indians that murdered Mr. Kile
made their
escape on the night of the 29th Nov. The Indians immediately commenced
searching for them and on the 12th December they found and delivered
them up again. They have done as well in every instance as could be
asked.
I returned a few days since from
Illinois Creek
where they were recently hostile and am happy to be able to say peace
reigns in that quarter. I effected it through these Rogue River Indians.

Joel
Palmer
Supt. Ind. Affrs. O.T.NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter
Books C:10. The original letter can be found on Reel 13; Letters
Received, 1854, No. 2.

The Indians of California and Oregon are numerous
and warlike, but as they were divided into small independent bands,
having no general head, and were in a great measure destitute of
firearms, their hostilities in previous years were not important. Now,
however, that the rapidly extending settlements of those countries are
driving the Indians from their accustomed haunts and crowding them into
narrower limits, they are forced into combinations both formidable and
frequent. Within the past three years their hostilities--the result in
many instances of the intrusion and aggressions of the whites--have
been almost uninterrupted, and it is officially known that, in Northern
California and Southern Oregon alone, within this period, the lives of
more than a hundred whites and several hundred Indians have been
sacrificed in collisions between the two races. The force in that
country is not now, and never has been, sufficient, and, impressed with
the idea of its entire inadequacy, the Department some time since
ordered a regiment of artillery to the Pacific, and it was designed to
send there an additional regiment of infantry, but it was found that
the state of the service would not then, nor does it yet, admit of it.
The first mail from the Pacific, subsequent to the issuing of this
order, brought intelligence of renewed hostilities, in which more than
forty lives were lost. By the zeal and activity of General Lane
(delegate from Oregon Territory), in command of a volunteer force,
aided by the few regular troops that were in the neighborhood,
hostilities were suppressed, and the Indians compelled to sue for
peace. These operations appear to have been conducted with great energy
and judgment, and, in the final conflict, General Lane and Captain
Alden (the latter in command of the regular troops) were both severely
wounded while gallantly leading a charge against the Indians. There is,
however, no assurance that peace can be maintained, unless a force
adequate to the control of the Indians is stationed in their midst. It
is the intention of the Department that this shall be done, and as soon
as possible a considerable additional force will be sent to the
Pacific, and one of the brigadier generals of the army ordered there to
command."Report of the Secretary of War," National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., December 24, 1853, page 6

Indian
Agency Dec.
17, 1853

Dear
Sir
Enclosed you will find a receipt, in
duplicate, for
the goods sent by you to this agency, except two items 6½
lbs.
baling rope $3 25/100 and 1 bale sewing twine $25/100. These I suppose
were used in baling the goods.
I have just asked Capt. Smith what is
the custom in
the Quartermaster's Department when, say, a lot of clothing is sent by
the quartermaster to him and in so doing it is necessary to put it in
bales or packages, whether he or the person sending it expends the
articles used in packing it. He says that the person who first sends it
returns these items as purchased for the purpose of baling the other
goods, & that he does not receipt for it.
I will do so in this case, but if you
desire that I
should expend them let me know & I will receipt for them.
But my present impression is that it
ought to be as
an item of expense incurred in transporting the goods to this agency,
and as I have had nothing to do in bringing the goods, of course I
would have no account upon which to show how they were expended.
I also send duplicate receipt for the
camp furniture
turned over to me by Mr. McDonald. Some of it was sold, so Mr. McDonald
told me.

Respectfully
your
obt. servant
S. H. Culver
Ind.
Agent Oregon Ty.

[Joel
Palmer Supt.]
[Ind. Affrs. Oregon Ty.]NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter
Books C:10. The original letter can be found
on Reel 13; Letters
Received, 1854, No. 1.

Umpqua
Valley Dec.
17 '53

General
Palmer
Sir,
I would
be much obliged to you if
you could send the money to me for packing Indian goods, the amount for
packing 432 dollars--expenses and ferriage coming back 20 dollars. One
axe $2 50/100, $3 paid for supper and breakfast for me and Bill Hash.
If you could send the money or some way I could get it without much
trouble; if you can send it to Yoncalla Post Office, for I want it very
much. By so doing you will oblige me.

I
remain your obt.
servant
James McDonald

NARA
Series M2, Microcopy
of Records of the
Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1873, Reel 4; Letter
Books C:10.

Office
Superintendent Indian Affairs
Dayton O.T. Dec. 20th 1853

Sir,
A sense of official duty impels me to
press upon
your consideration the importance of early measures, either
legislative, or in the form of instructions, specifically applicable to
the difficulties embarrassing the administration of Indian affairs in
this Superintendency.
It is plain from the instructions
heretofore emanating
from the Indian Bureau that the 20th Section of the Act of June 30th
1834 has there been regarded as applicable to, and in full force and
effect within this Territory, so also has it been uniformly regarded by
the courts in Oregon, as appears from the records of their decisions.
At the recent term of the District Court
in Clatsop
County, Judge Olney presiding, charged the grand jury that Oregon is
not an Indian country within the meaning of the 20th section of the Act
of 30 June 1834, and consequently the provisions of that act are
inapplicable and not in force.
In a case recently before the District
Court in
Clackamas County, Chief Justice Williams & Justice Olney on the
bench--the opinions, the substance of which is contained in the
enclosed copies, were given by said judges. Chief Justice Williams
decided the section of the law in question applicable and in force,
while Judge Olney reiterated his former views. Both judges, however,
concur in the opinion that Oregon is not, within the contemplation of
the law of 1834, an Indian country.
The Chief Justice based the
applicability of the
said 20th section thereof on entirely different ground, and moreover
lays down a rule for the interpretation of the Act of 1834, by which to
determine its vitality and force in this Territory, which we cannot but
regard as of very uncertain application, to wit:
"That whatever in said law militates
against the
true interests of the white population is inapplicable," since
different minds may come to different conclusions as to what are the
true interests of the white population, and while their true interest
may be clear in the instance considered, it may be quite otherwise as
to other features of the law. From this rule of interpreting the act,
we find Judge Olney dissenting. Thus we see the applicability of the
law of 1834 so uncertain that it is doubtful whether we have any law
operative here to protect the savages from the terrible effects of rum,
and the wives and children of our citizens from their drunken fury, or
to punish the callous-hearted persons who for lucre minister to their
depraved appetite, and transform them to incarnate demons.
Two other matters of much importance to
the peace of
the country and the general welfare of the whites and Indians, to which
I have intended to call the attention of the Department at an early
day, are incidentally touched upon in the enclosed judicial opinions,
and the views of the judges in regards to the law of 1834, in the
premises, foreshadowed.
One of these is in regard to the free
occupation and
use of the country by the whites; the other refers to the "rights
(under the laws of the United States) to import and sell to all classes of customers, goods
of every description."
The right to the free occupation and use
of the
country by the whites is very often considered in the most latitudinous
and aggressive manner.
The rapid increase of population has
caused the
returning wave of immigration to roll back over the Cascade Range and
meet the immigrant from the States beyond them on the plains of Middle
Oregon, and although the restriction of surveys and treaties with the
Indian tribes for the extinguishment of their title to their lands, to
the western side of the Cascade Mountains, seem to indicate that the
country east of this range is not yet regarded by our government as
open to settlement by the whites, many already have marked out their
donation tracts on that side and hold them not only without the consent
of the Indians, but in the face of their strong remonstrance. The same
is true of the lands reserved for the Indians in the late treaties. To
these reserves, often including their ancient encamping and root
grounds, the Indians have clung in the hope that the treaties may yet
be ratified. The whites nevertheless now occupy nearly these entire
reservations.
It is expressly provided in the "Organic
Act" that
nothing therein "shall be construed to impair the rights of person or
property now pertaining to the Indians in said Territory, so long as
such rights shall remain unextinguished by treaty &c."
Yet not infrequently the land in actual
cultivation
by the Indians is seized, and the wretched savages driven from the huts
that shelter them. Some have by threatened or actual violence been
compelled to leave the spots designated for their huts, fields and
fishing stations by the agents of this Superintendency.
I will state a fact lately brought to my
knowledge. An Umpqua Indian [Dick Johnson],
tired of the idle and vagrant habits of his tribe, withdrew with his
wife and children to a small cove, remote at the time from the
settlements, where he built his cabin, enclosed a field, and began the
cultivation of the soil; for a time his peaceful possession was
unmolested, but unfortunately for the poor Indian, a white man saw and
coveted this remote spot, included it in his survey and bade the Indian
remove.
The copy of a letter from a Wascopam
Indian, William
Chin-mich, presents a picture of Indian wrongs, no less true than sad
and painful.
No danger attends these encroachments of
the whites
in the more populous portions of one territory, where the tribes are
dwindled to a few harmless numbers; but in southwestern, Middle and
Upper Oregon, where the Indians are numerous and warlike, these wrongs
are keenly felt and arouse the vindictive spirit of revenge, and in all
probability without some prompt and efficient intervention of the
government war will result, to quell which, besides the sacrifice of
human life, will require an expenditure many times greater than is at
present necessary to obtain their lands by treaty and secure their
lasting gratitude and friendship. I should feel myself recreant to the
sentiments of humanity and justice did I forbear to press the subject
earnestly upon your consideration.
The occupation of the plains of Middle
Oregon by our
citizens at an early day is as certain as any future event depending on
human volition, and the question is now fairly before us, shall it be with outrage and
blood, or with peace and good will? Early
treaties with the tribes of that region will prevent the former and
secure the latter--to be secured, I believe, in no other way.
The right to import, and sell to all
classes of
customers, goods of every description, is, I have reason to believe,
practically exercised by some in unlicensed traffic among the Indians,
and the opinion abroad under high official sanction that the law of
1834 is without vitality in this regard also, and the hope of impunity
will induce others to seek the emoluments of this trade.
If all classes of persons "may trade
with the Indians in all sorts of goods, liquors and wines included" in
all parts of Oregon, and hold unrestricted intercourse with
them,
and if there is no authority under the Act of June 30th 1834 as
extended to Oregon vested in the Superintendent in this Territory to
regulate or prevent this traffic, or to remove persons of improper
character and aims from among the Indian tribes--if this act is a dead
letter here, it is certainly high time that Congress should enact the
proper statutory provisions to protect the Indians from wrongs of no
feeble die, to secure peace and safety to our citizens, and save our
country from reproach. Or if the existing laws are adequate to prevent
the evils, and secure the benefits they are designed to promote, I ask
respectfully, but earnestly, that the hands of the agents of the
government in this Superintendency may be strengthened by such
authoritative interpretation as will put doubts to flight, give dignity
and power to the statute, and secure the peace, order and general
welfare of both whites and Indians.